Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Abu Dhabi Temple Holds Prayers for Injured flydubai Pilot
People at a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi prayed for pilot Captain Smit Machchhar to get better.
India’s ambassador said he was recovering well and feeling positive.
Dubai’s Crown Prince visited him and thanked him for his bravery.
India’s Prime Minister also spoke with him by video call.
Machchhar was hurt during an attack in an airplane’s cockpit on September 30.
He fought the attacker, and passengers helped stop the attack.
The plane then made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
The article says his actions helped protect more than 170 passengers and crew members.
Devotees and swamis at Abu Dhabi’s BAPS Hindu Mandir prayed for Captain Smit Machchhar’s recovery.
Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal said Machchhar was recovering well and in good spirits.
Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed visited Machchhar in hospital on Saturday and praised his courage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Machchhar by video call and credited his composure with helping save more than 170 people.
Machchhar was injured during a cockpit attack on September 30; the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, an injured flydubai pilot, and devotees at the BAPS Hindu Mandir.
- What
- Devotees held special prayers for Machchhar’s recovery; officials also visited or spoke with him and praised his actions.
- When
- The prayers were reported Sunday; Hamdan bin Mohammed visited Machchhar on Saturday. The cockpit incident occurred on September 30.
- Where
- The prayers took place at the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi. Machchhar was being treated in hospital; the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Machchhar was injured while resisting a cockpit attacker during a flight from Dubai to Israel.
- Pilot
- Captain Smit Machchhar, a flydubai pilot
- Prayer location
- BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi
- Incident date
- September 30
- Flight route
- Dubai to Israel
- People aboard helped
- More than 170 passengers and crew members were reported saved
- Emergency landing
- Saudi Arabia
- Recovery update
- Indian Ambassador Deepak Mittal said Machchhar was recovering well and in good spirits
- Temple visitors
- The BAPS Hindu Mandir recorded 2.2 million visitors in its first year after its February 2024 inauguration