Adityanath showers praise on PM Modi for speaking to Captain Smit Machchhar

LUCKNOW, Oct 2: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday showered praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking personally to Captain Smit Machchhar to boost his morale and offering strength to his family.

In a post on X, Yogi Adityanath said, "A nation stands with its heroes, and Prime Minister @narendramodi ji has once again offered a heartfelt expression of this spirit. Speaking personally with Captain Smit Machchhar to boost his morale and offering strength to his family is a beautiful expression of the compassionate guardianship of Pradhanmantri ji.

"Heartfelt gratitude to Pradhanmantri ji, and we honour the indomitable valour of Captain Smit Machchhar."

While recounting the terrifying moments after being attacked by his co-pilot mid-air but still managing to save the aircraft, flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar told Prime Minister Modi on Friday, "I was fighting for my life, but I was determined not to let others die."

The prime minister spoke over the phone to the pilot, who is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in the UAE.

Machchhar, who was stabbed and seriously injured by his co-pilot in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 while travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday, gave a detailed account of the incident to the prime minister during the video call.

He, however, did not disclose what triggered the attack on him or the motive of the co-pilot.

Modi lauded the pilot's bravery, presence of mind and composure, and said Machchhar took a split-second decision that saved the lives of so many people.

Machchhar shared that whenever he faces difficulty, he recites the Hanuman Chalisa, a hymn devoted to Lord Hanuman. (PTI)