India


Kharge salutes Captain Smit Machchhar, crew for courage during flydubai attack

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday saluted Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew and others for displaying extraordinary courage and presence of mind during an attack aboard a flydubai flight, saying their actions helped save precious lives.
In a post on social media platform X, Kharge said, "I salute Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew, and all who showed extraordinary courage and presence of mind under attack, helping save precious lives."
Kharge also wished the injured pilot a speedy and complete recovery. "Wishing Captain Machchhar a swift and full recovery," he said.
Kharge's remarks came amid widespread appreciation for the flight crew's response during the incident, in which Captain Machchhar was reported to have continued performing his duties despite sustaining serious injuries. The episode has drawn attention to the courage, composure, and quick decision-making displayed by the crew in confronting a potentially catastrophic situation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also praised Captain Machchhar's bravery, describing him as a "HERO" and saying that despite being seriously injured and facing grave danger, he showed "immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others." Modi said the pilot's valour helped save hundreds of lives and avert a major tragedy.
Kharge's message added to the expressions of support and appreciation for Captain Machchhar and the crew, while wishing the pilot a swift recovery following the ordeal.
UNI SKA RSA
More News

Terror in the cockpit: Captain’s courage saves 174 lives

01 Oct 2026 | 12:57 PM

Colonel Guru Saday Batabyal (Retd)
New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The sky has always been civilisation’s most fragile frontier, a realm where human trust is not merely a virtue but the very architecture of survival. On flydubai Flight FZ 1073, that architecture cracked in the most chilling manner imaginable when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli investigators as Omani national Ahmed Al-Balushi, allegedly turned on his captain mid-air, knifing him inside the cockpit and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

see more..

Terror in the cockpit: Captain’s courage saves 174 lives

01 Oct 2026 | 12:39 PM

Colonel Guru Saday Batabyal (Retd)
New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) The sky has always been civilisation’s most fragile frontier, a realm where human trust is not merely a virtue but the very architecture of survival. On flydubai Flight FZ 1073, that architecture cracked in the most chilling manner imaginable when the co-pilot, identified by Israeli investigators as Omani national Ahmed Al-Balushi, allegedly turned on his captain mid-air, knifing him inside the cockpit and attempting to seize control of the aircraft.

see more..

At UPSC centenary, Modi calls for 'Nation First, Citizen First' approach in civil services

01 Oct 2026 | 12:27 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for a renewed focus on public service and citizen-centric governance as he participated in the centenary celebrations of the union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi, marking the culmination of year-long celebrations that began on October 1 last year.

see more..

Kharge salutes Captain Smit Machchhar, crew for courage during flydubai attack

01 Oct 2026 | 12:10 PM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday saluted Indian commercial pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew and others for displaying extraordinary courage and presence of mind during an attack aboard a flydubai flight, saying their actions helped save precious lives.

see more..

Jairam Ramesh invokes Rawat's SIR critique, flags 'Vote Chori' threat

01 Oct 2026 | 10:11 AM

New Delhi, Oct 1 (UNI) Congress General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh on Thursday cited former Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat's criticism of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, arguing that the controversy over electoral-roll revisions had become part of a wider struggle to safeguard public confidence in India's electoral system.

see more..