India, Oct. 9 -- The Israeli government will honour Indian Flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar with the country's Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for his role in preventing a mid-air catastrophe aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight after an Omani co-pilot attacked him.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Thursday that Captain Machchhar's courage and actions had "helped avert a catastrophe". Herzog will present the award to the Indian pilot once he recovers from his injuries, The Indian Express reported.

In a separate statement issued by the President's Office, Herzog expressed his gratitude to the Indian pilot, saying: "My deep gratitude and appreciation, on behalf of the State of Israel, to the Indian pilot, Captain Smit Machchhar, whos...