{
  "id": 11379841,
  "title": "‘Recited Hanuman Chalisa’: Indian pilot stabbed on flydubai flight tells PM Modi on video call",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/recited-hanuman-chalisa-indian-pilot-stabbed-on-flydubai-flight-tells",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-02T06:59:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/recited-hanuman-chalisa-indian-pilot-stabbed-on-flydubai-flight-tells-pm-modi-on-video-call-101790923387408.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed and injured by the Omani co-pilot during a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to footage from inside the flight, Machchhar can be heard saying \"He hit me\" after being injured. Passengers and crew intervened to stop the alleged attempt to crash the aircraft, which was diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely.\n\nMachchhar later spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a video call, sharing his personal experience and what gave him courage during the incident. Modi praised Machchhar as a \"hero\" for his actions, saying he showed \"immense courage\" and an unwavering determination to protect others despite suffering serious injuries. Modi also told Machchhar that India is proud of him.\n\nMachchhar reportedly recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the incident, which gave him the strength to cope with the situation. He became emotional during the interaction with Modi, who wished him a speedy recovery, renewed strength, and good health. Flydubai has confirmed that an altercation occurred in the flight deck, but the airline has not publicly endorsed specific accounts about how the confrontation began or its motive.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Arabian Post",
        "title": "Modi honours pilot Machchhar after flydubai emergency",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/modi-honours-pilot-machchhar-after-flydubai-emergency",
        "published": "2026-10-02T04:46:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times",
        "title": "Stabbed flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar now stable, ‘smiling and laughing’ in Abu Dhabi hospital: Envoy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/stabbed-flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-now-stable-smiling-and-laughing",
        "published": "2026-10-02T04:54:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "PM Modi Speaks To Indian Hero Smit Machchhar; Flydubai Pilot Says 'He Chanted Hanuman Chalisa In Cockpit' After Attack By Co-Pilot",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/pm-modi-speaks-to-indian-hero-smit-machchhar-flydubai-pilot-says-he",
        "published": "2026-10-02T06:36:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "PM Modi speaks to flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar, lauds his bravery",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/pm-modi-speaks-to-flydubai-pilot-smit-machchhar-lauds-his-bravery",
        "published": "2026-10-02T06:36:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}