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World desk2 min

PM Modi Says Captain Smit Machchhar Averted a ‘9/11-Style Tragedy’

Modi praised Captain Smit Machchhar after an alleged attack aboard flydubai flight FZ-1073, but the “9/11-style tragedy” comparison is not a confirmed investigation finding.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit Machchhar at a Union Public Service Commission centenary event in New Delhi on October 1, saying an Indian had prevented a “9/11-style tragedy.” The comparison was Modi’s characterization of the danger—not a confirmed finding that the flight was part of a 9/11-style plot. Reporting on the incident said the investigation was continuing and officials had not established a motive.

What Modi said about Captain Machchhar

At the UPSC centenary event, Modi praised Machchhar’s patience, presence of mind and courage. Hindustan Times quoted him as saying: “Indeed, as the Prime Minister of Israel stated today, an Indian prevented a 9/11-style tragedy.” Hindustan Times reported the remarks; India Today also reported that Modi had called Machchhar a hero in an earlier post that day.

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The wording matters: Modi was praising the pilot and invoking a comparison. The available reports do not establish that the flight was targeted in a confirmed plot comparable to the September 11 attacks.

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What was reported aboard flydubai flight FZ-1073

Hindustan Times reported that Machchhar was seriously wounded during an alleged attack by his co-pilot aboard flydubai flight FZ-1073. Despite his injuries, he opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. A reserve crew member then flew the Boeing 737 MAX 8, with 174 people aboard according to the report, to an emergency landing at Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia. These are details from the outlet’s account, not final investigation findings.

The same outlet said its analysis of flight-tracking data showed a sharp descent over Saudi Arabia and a brief crossing into Jordan before the aircraft turned back. It also said it could not independently verify photographs that appeared to show rudder damage. Those details should be treated as attributed reporting, not established technical findings.

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How Israeli and Indian leaders responded

Hindustan Times quoted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the episode as “an amazing act of heroism — of his, of the Indian pilot, of the people who helped them. They stopped a disaster that could have been global.” Indian President Droupadi Murmu said: “The nation is proud of Captain Smit Machchhar. His heroic courage and incredible presence of mind have deeply touched us all.”

What was known about Machchhar’s recovery and the investigation

The Hindustan Times report said Machchhar had been moved from Tabuk to a hospital in the United Arab Emirates. After visiting him and his family, India’s ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, said: “Very reassured to meet Capt Smit. Thank the UAE government for their support and medical care being extended.” This is a time-specific update from that report, not a current medical bulletin.

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The report said Israeli officials had not established a motive, their initial assessment was that the co-pilot acted alone, and the investigation was continuing. It described the alleged co-pilot as an Omani national who had not been publicly named in that account. The available reporting does not establish motive or intent as proven facts.

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