Rajya Sabha member seeks Ashok Chakra for Indian pilot Smit Machchar

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha member Kartikeya Sharma has written to PM Modi, urging him to consider awarding the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the ‘Ashok Chakra’ to flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchar for his courage and presence of mind midair during a hijacking attempt made by Omani co-pilot.Machchar was critically injured during flydubai flight FZ1073 on September 30 after his co-pilot attacked him and attempted to take control of the aircraft.Despite suffering severe injuries, Machchar remained focused on protecting the 174 passengers on board and continued to carry out his duties under extreme circumstances.Sharma said Machchar’s courage and composure during the crisis reflected the “indomitable spirit” and dedication to duty of Indians. He said the captain put the safety of passengers ahead of his own well-being despite being seriously injured.The Rajya Sabha member said recognising Machchar at the national level would not only honour his bravery but also inspire young people across the country. He added that every Indian was proud of the captain’s courage.Sharma urged Prime Minister Modi to consider conferring the ‘Ashok Chakra’ on Machchar in recognition of his bravery and dedication to duty.The letter comes days after the alleged hijacking attempt aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. According to reports, Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami attacked Machchar with an axe inside the cockpit in an attempt to bring down the aircraft.Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchar managed to unlatch the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and restrain the co-pilot.

The confrontation caused the aircraft to enter a steep descent, with the plane dropping around 16,000 feet in two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was sent.The aircraft was later diverted and made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. All 180 people on board disembarked safely.A Times of Israel report published on Sunday said al-Hammami had planned to direct the aircraft towards Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.The report, citing Hebrew media sources, said the Omani co-pilot was detained and was being interrogated in the United Arab Emirates.