Deepak Mittal, the Indian Ambassador to the UAE, recently met with the family of Captain Smit Machchar in Dubai to offer the government's full backing during a difficult time. Captain Smit, an experienced pilot with over 9,750 flight hours, was injured during an altercation that occurred on a FlyDubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. Following the mid-air disturbance, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where the captain has since undergone surgery and is reportedly in stable condition.

Ambassador Mittal praised Captain Smit’s courage during the incident and confirmed that Indian diplomatic missions are working closely with authorities in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to ensure his wellbeing. While local officials conduct a thorough investigation—which includes an inquiry by the UAE Attorney-General to determine if the altercation involved any broader security threats—the Indian government has emphasized that it is closely monitoring the situation. For now, the focus remains on the pilot's recovery and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding this highly unusual aviation security case.