Flydubai Pilot Smit Machchhar To Be Awarded ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel announced the state will confer the 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' on Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage during the flydubai Flight FZ1073 mid-air crisis. Despite serious injuries in an alleged cockpit attack, Machchhar helped avert a crash, drawing global praise from PM Narendra Modi, President Murmu, and leaders worldwide.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced that Captain Smit Machchhar will be honoured with the state’s ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for his bravery during the mid-air emergency aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073. Bhupendra Patel said Smit Machchhar’s courage was being recognised around the world and praised the pilot for bringing pride to Gujarat and India through his actions.
Smit Machchhar was seriously injured during an alleged cockpit attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The aircraft went into a steep descent after the incident before passengers and crew intervened. The flight was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely with all passengers and crew on board. Who Is Smit Machchhar? Indian Pilot Fights Off Cockpit Attack, Saves Flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv Flight FZ1073 From Crashing.
Captain Smit Machchhar To Be Awarded ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’
ઈઝરાયલ જઈ રહેલ ફ્લાઈટના પાયલટ કેપ્ટન સ્મિત મચ્છરના સાહસને આજે આખી દુનિયા સલામ કરી રહી છે. હુમલાના કારણે લોહીલુહાણ હોવા છતા તેમણે અદમ્ય સાહસ દાખવીને 174 મુસાફરોના જીવ બચાવ્યા, એ વાત અત્યંત પ્રેરણાદાયી અને સરાહનીય છે.
મૂળ ગુજરાતના આ વીર સપૂતે પોતાના શૌર્યથી સમગ્ર વિશ્વમાં ગુજરાત…
— Bhupendra Patel (@Bhupendrapbjp) October 1, 2026
'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' for Extraordinary Valour
Commending the pilot’s prompt response and dedication to passenger safety despite sustaining serious stab wounds, the Chief Minister underscored the pilot's cultural roots and heroic composure. “The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar is being saluted by the entire world today. This valiant son of Gujarat has illuminated the name of Gujarat and the nation across the globe through his heroism," Bhupendra Patel said.
The chief minister said the award would honour Smit Machchhar’s “extraordinary act of bravery and humanity". “The Government of Gujarat will bestow upon him the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’," Bhupendra Patel said, adding that the entire state was praying for his speedy recovery. Flydubai Hijack Scare: Indian-Origin Captain Smit Machchhar Regains Control of ‘Crashing’ Plane After Co-Pilot Attack.
Smit Machchhar has since received widespread praise from political leaders and public figures in India and abroad for his actions during the emergency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders expressed their admiration for the pilot’s courage and presence of mind.
International dignitaries, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also expressed appreciation for the captain's actions in protecting passengers of diverse nationalities, with the Israeli leader noting that Machchhar's decisive action saved over 170 lives.
The circumstances surrounding the cockpit incident and the motive behind the alleged attack remain under investigation by multi-national civil aviation and security authorities.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2026 03:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
