India, Oct. 2 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a video call with Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar and praised him for his bravery after he prevented a plane carrying 174 passengers from crashing following an attack by his co-pilot.

Machchhar, an Indian national, was seriously injured in the incident but continued to act despite his injuries during the confrontation inside the cockpit.

Describing the critical situation to the Prime Minister, Machchhar said he realised that if he did not act, the passengers and crew could be in danger.

Machchhar also told Modi that he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he feels scared and that he did the same during the incident.

"Whenever I feel pain, I just chant Hanuman Chalisa. ...