India, Oct. 4 -- Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum visited Indian pilot Smit Machchhar at a hospital in the UAE, where he is recovering from serious injuries sustained during a mid-air attack by his co-pilot.

Machchhar has been widely praised for his courage after opening the cockpit door despite being badly injured, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and helping prevent a potential disaster.

'We are proud of him'

Following his meeting with Machchhar, Sheikh Hamdan expressed his "full appreciation and praise" for the Indian captain.

"We are proud that he is part of our team... part of the story of our nation... and part of what the UAE stands for... a nation of compassion... a nati...