India, Oct. 4 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday spoke by telephone with Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in a hospital in the UAE, and praised his actions during the cockpit attack on September 30.

Netanyahu also invited the Indian pilot to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony.

"You are a hero for Israel, India and the entire world. I invite you to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony," Netanyahu told Machchhar during the conversation.

Machchhar recounted the events during the attack, including how he was assaulted by the Omani co-pilot inside the cockpit and, despite being injured, managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew members to intervene ...