Gandhinagar: Gujarat govt will honour pilot Captain Smit Machchhar with ‘Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award’ for saving the lives of 174 passengers during an attack on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, chief minister Bhupendra Patel said.The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh and will be presented at a special felicitation event after Machchhar recovers from injuries sustained in the incident, top govt sources said.“The courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, the pilot of the flight headed to Israel, is being saluted by the entire world today. Despite being drenched in blood due to the attack, he displayed indomitable bravery to save the lives of 174 passengers — a feat that is profoundly inspiring and commendable,” CM said in an X post on Thursday.Calling Machchhar a “valiant son of Gujarat”, Patel said people were praying for his speedy recovery. A special prayer was also held at Somnath Temple for the pilot’s speedy recovery.“This valiant son of Gujarat has brought honour to Gujarat and the nation through his heroism. The Gujarati spirit flowing in his veins fills us all with immense pride. To honour his extraordinary act of bravery and humanity, the govt of Gujarat will bestow upon Captain Smit Machchhar the ‘Visisht Gujarat Garima Award’. The entire state is praying for his speedy recovery. The empathy and prayers of the nation’s citizens are with Captain Smit Machchhar,” CM’s post said.Sources said Machchhar’s family moved to Delhi decades ago and that he completed his schooling in Mumbai. The family owns a textiles business. His in-laws are from Savarkundla town in Amreli district of Saurashtra. The family has lived there for four decades.Hiren Jogi, a distant relative on Machchhar ’s in-laws’ side in Amreli district, said the family was worried. “Smit is under treatment and we are proud of him,” Jogi said.In a video message, deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi extended wishes on behalf of Gujarat’s citizens. “Not only in Gujarat and the country, people across the world are praying for his quick recovery. PM Modi and CM Bhupendra Patel have also congratulated the pilot for his bravery. We all salute his bravery,” Sanghavi said.Flydubai flight FZ1073 was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when the incident occurred. Machchhar was attacked by his co-pilot, who stabbed him and allegedly attempted to take control of the aircraft. Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to intervene, after which the aircraft diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
