‘He was a hero’ Trump hails Indian pilot Machchhar, stabbed by co-pilot mid-air in Flydubai flight

US President Donald Trump has hailed Indian Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar as a “hero” after he was stabbed by his co-pilot during a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar helped open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. The flight, carrying 174 people, made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. PM Narendra Modi and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu have also praised the Indian pilot’s bravery.