An Indian pilot injured during an attempted aircraft hijacking managed to save the lives of nearly 180 passengers after being attacked by his co-pilot mid-flight, officials and witnesses said. The incident occurred on a Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Smit Machchhar, the flight’s captain, was stabbed by the co-pilot but was able to fight through his injuries to open the cockpit door, allowing other passengers and two off-duty pilots to subdue the attacker. The aircraft had rapidly descended approximately 14,000 feet within 30 seconds before control was regained. Machchhar spoke from his hospital bed in Abu Dhabi, recounting how he drew strength by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn, during the crisis.

“I knew that if I could give one last push and open the door, I could save everyone,” Machchhar said, describing the moment he fell to the floor amid the attack. “Even though I was beaten, I managed to open it. What I did was to save my life, but at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let everyone else die.”

Flydubai has confirmed that the co-pilot, an Omani national, is the alleged perpetrator of the attack. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the suspect as a “suspected jihadi” and stated that Israeli investigators would be permitted to interrogate him. Netanyahu said he had communicated with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, who approved a joint investigation.

“Preliminary evidence suggests Islamist radicalization of the pilot,” Netanyahu said, while emphasizing that it remains unclear whether the co-pilot acted alone or under direction. The Israeli leader did not dismiss the possibility of Iranian involvement, noting concerns about proxies planning attacks against Israeli targets abroad ahead of Israel’s general election scheduled for October 27.

Among the passengers who helped restrain the attacker was Dr. Shota Musaev, a 47-year-old Georgian Jewish dentist. Speaking after returning to Israel, Musaev said he and three other men physically overpowered the co-pilot, binding his hands and feet. According to Musaev, the assailant remained mostly silent during the incident except for pleas to be killed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India praised Machchhar for his bravery and composure under extreme duress, highlighting how his swift response preserved the lives aboard the plane and upheld the reputation of Indian aviation professionals. Machchhar, who has worked for Flydubai for four years and previously served as a senior commander at SpiceJet, expressed confidence in his recovery despite his injuries.

“This is a journey which will take time,” Machchhar said. “I am confident that I will become fit and healthy again.” The 182 people on board the flight are reported to have escaped serious injury apart from the captain’s wounds. The investigation into the motivations and background of the co-pilot remains ongoing.