Captain Smit Machhar, the Indian pilot who saved 174 lives during a mid-air attack on a flydubai flight, has been praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu for his courage.

Modi spoke to Machhar over a video call on October 2. He called the pilot a hero and said he had averted what could have been a 9/11-style tragedy. The Prime Minister praised his patience, presence of mind and courage despite severe injuries.

Machhar was stabbed by his co-pilot during flight FZ-1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Though badly wounded and trapped in the cockpit, he forced open the exit door. Passengers and crew then overpowered the attacker, and a reserve crew landed the Boeing 737 MAX 8 safely at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machhar and invited him and Modi to Israel’s Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony next year, one of the country’s highest honours.

Machhar is recovering in a UAE hospital. The Indian envoy said he is in good health. His 17 years of flying experience, he said, helped him act in seconds when the aircraft was in danger.