{
  "id": 16992816,
  "title": "UAE president says ‘I want to train you how to fight’ to Smit Machchhar, inspects his stitches",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/uae-president-says-i-want-to-train-you-how-to-fight-to-smit-machchhar",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-29T02:16:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/trending/uae-president-says-i-want-to-train-you-how-to-fight-to-smit-machchhar-inspects-his-stitches-101793238858918.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan told Captain Smit Machchhar he intends to train him in self-defense once he recovers, according to a viral video from an award ceremony. In the clip, the president is seen inspecting Machchhar's stitches and expressing his intention to have the pilot undergo a session to learn how to fight. The incident occurred when Machchhar, an Indian-origin pilot, was seriously injured during a mid-air attack on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. The co-pilot, an Omani national, stabbed Machchhar, causing the plane to plummet nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing the crew and passengers to overpower the co-pilot. After the incident, Machchhar was initially treated in Tabuk before being transferred to Abu Dhabi for further recovery. The president was not the only dignitary to visit Machchhar; Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum also paid him a visit. Both leaders praised the courage and professionalism of the crew members during the ceremony.",
  "summary": "UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan conferred Captain Smit Machchhar with the First Class Order of Zayed II.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": "The president's personal attention to the injured pilot signals a high-level state commitment to honoring the bravery and professionalism displayed by crew members during mid-air security crises.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘When will you heal?’: UAE President offers combat training to flydubai pilot Smit Machchar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/when-will-you-heal-uae-president-offers-combat-training-to-flydubai",
        "published": "2026-10-29T04:37:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "President Sheikh Mohamed offers to teach flydubai hero Smit Machchhar some jiu-jitsu moves",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/president-sheikh-mohamed-offers-to-teach-flydubai-hero-smit-machchhar",
        "published": "2026-10-29T07:19:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}