New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot stabbed by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, told Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a video call on Friday that he was determined not to let others die even though he was fighting for his own life. Machchhar, seen with a tube in his nose and bandages on his head and hands, spoke to Modi from a hospital bed in Abu Dhabi during a nearly 10-minute clip released on the Prime Minister's social media channels. Wiping away tears, Machchhar recounted Wednesday's events in detail to the PM but did not give a motive for the actions of his co-pilot, who has so far been identified only as an Omani national by Israeli authorities. Modi lauded the pilot's courage and said Machchhar had shown the world the true meaning of 'ahimsa', referring to Friday being Gandhi Jayanti. Machchhar was stabbed by his co-pilot in an alleged attempt to crash the plane. The jet, with 174 people on board, plunged nearly 14,000 ft (4,267m) in less than 30 seconds in the incident. UAE Presidential adviser Anwar Gargash on Friday characterised the incident as a "terrorist attack," while praising the pilot as a "true hero" in a post on X. "I was lying on the floor (of the cockpit) injured. With whatever energy that was left with me, I managed to act properly and saved the plane," said the pilot, who also hails from Modi's home state of Gujarat. "I was fighting for my life, but I was determined not to let others die. It was such a crucial moment. There was a moment when I realised that if I don't do something -- because I was lying on the ground (in cockpit), I could feel that the aircraft was going down," he said. Though he had sustained multiple injuries, Machchhar said he told himself that he had to get up and act. "I have been flying planes for 17 years ... been a Captain for the last 11 years and I know what is happening in an aircraft even with my eyes closed. I knew for a fact that if I could make one last push -- the door was right there. Even while I was still taking blows, I could just open the door," he said. The pilot said that after the cockpit door was opened, others rushed in. Machchhar was covered with blood and on the floor when he managed to open the cockpit door, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. That act allowed passengers and crew to overpower the co-pilot and let a second pair of flydubai pilots on board take control of the jet and land it in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. "But honestly, I was acting out of survival, yet at the same time, I knew I couldn't let all of them die," Machchhar said. Machchhar shared that whenever he faces a challenge, he recites the Hanuman Chalisa. Modi told Machchhar that after this incident, the country can proudly say that Indians are not those who take lives, but those who are willing to risk their lives to save others. "At that time, you received so many injuries and were engaged in a fight of life and death. But you ignored your own safety and were concerned about the safety of the passengers. You have enhanced the honour of 140 crore Indians. I feel proud from the bottom of my heart," Modi said. The pilot said he considers Modi his greatest role model, and said he felt extremely proud the Prime Minister had called him. When Machchhar apologised for crying, Modi told the pilot that if he could not cry before him, with whom else would he cry. The Prime Minister also told the pilot that temples across the country have conducted special prayers for his speedy recovery and that many Indians were reciting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. "You are a brave man. India is waiting to welcome you," he told the pilot. Modi also spoke about Machchhar's mother, Geeta Ben, noting that she raised him with the values and teachings of the Bhagavad Gita. The Prime Minister also thanked the governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE for taking good care of Machchhar. In a letter to PM Modi on Friday, the Federation of Indian Pilots said that the government should confer a bravery award on Machchhar, a view that was echoed by some politicians....