Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Chiranjeevi and Anupam Kher Praise Captain Smit Machchhar’s Bravery
Captain Smit Machchhar was a pilot on a plane that was attacked in the air.
The article says the co-pilot hurt him badly.
Even while injured, Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers and crew could help stop the attacker.
Another pilot changed the plane’s route to Saudi Arabia.
The article says 174 passengers and eight crew members were saved.
Actors Chiranjeevi and Anupam Kher praised Machchhar’s courage.
Gujarat also announced an award for him.
Machchhar reportedly said he chanted the Hanuman Chalisa while trying to protect the passengers.
Chiranjeevi and Anupam Kher publicly praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions during an in-flight attack.
The article says the co-pilot stabbed and beat Machchhar, who was seriously injured.
Machchhar opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the attacker.
Another pilot aboard diverted the flight to Saudi Arabia; the article says 174 passengers and eight crew members were saved.
Gujarat announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Machchhar, who reportedly chanted the Hanuman Chalisa during the crisis.
- Who
- Captain Smit Machchhar, praised by Chiranjeevi and Anupam Kher.
- What
- Machchhar was praised for helping passengers and crew during an in-flight attack.
- When
- The social media posts were dated October 1 and October 3, 2026.
- Where
- The incident occurred aboard a flight heading to Israel; it was diverted to Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Machchhar was praised for his courage and efforts to protect people despite being seriously injured.
Article account
Limits of the account
Details of the incident
Article account
The article says Machchhar was stabbed and beaten by the co-pilot, opened the cockpit door, and helped enable passengers and crew to overpower the attacker.
Limits of the account
The article provides no account from the co-pilot or independent verification of the incident details.
Lives saved
Article account
The article reports that 174 passengers and eight crew members were saved and quotes Anupam Kher describing nearly 180 lives saved.
Limits of the account
The article does not provide a separate source confirming the casualty or survival figures.
- Passengers reported saved
- 174
- Crew reported saved
- 8
- Attack described
- The article says the co-pilot stabbed and beat Captain Machchhar.
- Cockpit response
- Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers and crew could enter and overpower the attacker.
- Diversion
- Another pilot aboard diverted the flight to Saudi Arabia.
- Award
- Gujarat announced the Visisht Gujarat Garima Award for Machchhar.
- Praise
- Chiranjeevi and Anupam Kher posted tributes to Machchhar.