Union Minister questions Congress leader’s silence after Indian pilot helped foil suspected hijacking attempt on Dubai-Tel Aviv flight
Hyderabad, Oct 2026 : Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Sunday criticised Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi for not publicly acknowledging the courage of Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped prevent a suspected hijacking attempt aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight.
Bandi Sanjay questioned why Gandhi had not appreciated Machchhar following the September 30 incident, in which the Indian captain was attacked by his co-pilot during the flight. Despite suffering serious injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Two Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers subsequently assisted in stabilising the aircraft, which made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
“Rahul Gandhi has time for everything, but no time to appreciate Captain Smit Machchhar? Is even acknowledging the courage of an Indian hero now complicated by appeasement politics at the international level?” Bandi Sanjay said in a post on X.
He added that Machchhar’s actions deserved recognition from Indians and criticised those who, in his view, had failed to acknowledge the pilot’s courage.
The Flydubai incident involved flight FZ1073, which was carrying 174 passengers when the co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar inside the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently went into a steep descent before the situation was brought under control. Machchhar’s decision to open the cockpit door allowed passengers to enter and restrain the co-pilot, while other pilots on board helped regain control of the aircraft.
The incident has drawn widespread attention, with Machchhar receiving praise from political leaders in India and abroad. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also praised the Indian pilot and described his actions as heroic. Machchhar later spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from hospital and recounted how he continued fighting despite his injuries to prevent the aircraft from crashing.
Earlier, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy had also criticised Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for not publicly praising Machchhar.
Kishan Reddy said the country was proud of the Indian pilot for displaying courage during the crisis and risking his own life to protect the passengers. He questioned why Congress leaders had not even posted a message acknowledging Machchhar’s actions.
“It is astonishing that even the basic sense to at least recognise and congratulate this extraordinary display of courage by an Indian is lacking in Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi,” Kishan Reddy said.
He further criticised Rahul Gandhi for speaking on what he described as less significant issues while not commenting on the Flydubai incident.
Kishan Reddy also questioned whether there was a reluctance within the Gandhi family to acknowledge instances in which Indians received international recognition for their courage and capabilities.
The political exchange comes as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the Flydubai cockpit attack. UAE authorities have described the incident as a terrorist act, while investigations are examining the circumstances surrounding the co-pilot’s alleged attack and the attempted takeover of the aircraft.
The incident has meanwhile renewed attention on the actions of Machchhar, passengers and the reserve pilots who worked together to prevent the aircraft from being brought down and ensured the safe landing of the flight.
