Captain Smit praised after dramatic Flydubai cockpit incident (Img: Dynamite News)
New Delhi: Praising the role of Indian captain Smit Machchhar during Flydubai incident, BJP criticised Congress for not publicly appreciating his actions.
BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi said the country was proud of Captain Smit, whom he credited with helping save the lives of passengers. He also referred to reports of Al-Qaeda praising the Omani co-pilot involved in the incident and questioned why the Congress had not issued any public statement in support of the Indian pilot.
“But it is shameful that the Congress party has not spoken a word in appreciation of Captain Smith. There has been no post from the Congress party," Trivedi said.
The BJP leader said the Flydubai episode highlighted what he described as a divide between “the two mindsets" in the country.
“This shows the difference between the two mindsets of this country. One mindset that takes you towards these terrorists and the other that is in support of Captain Smit, who saved the lives of many," he said.
Al-Qaeda has reportedly called for similar attacks against American and Israeli airliners, while referring to the September 11, 2001 attacks. It also praised an alleged attempt to take control of a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv, according to reports.
The report said the call appeared in the latest edition of al-Bayan, a weekly publication launched in July by Al-Qaeda supporters. It was reportedly circulated on Telegram channels linked to the group before being removed.
The publication reportedly referred to both the 9/11 attacks and the September 30 attempted takeover of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was carrying more than 170 passengers and crew, most of them Israelis, from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
According to the media reports, the Arabic-language article urged attacks on aircraft carrying Americans and Israelis.
“The war isn’t over yet; planes carrying Zionists, Americans and all the other infidels fighting against Islam are still hovering in the skies and can be targeted, as happened on September 11th and 30th," the article said, according to the Post.
The publication reportedly carried an image of an aircraft crashing into the World Trade Centre during the September 11 attacks alongside another image referring to the attempted takeover of the Flydubai flight.
“America and the Zionists have far more enemies today than before," the article said, according to the Post. “Perhaps a man who does not believe in God will target them and his operation will ultimately benefit Islam."
The article further declared, “The day will come when the empire of evil America will end."
The situation escalated after Smit Machchhar was attacked inside the cockpit. Despite suffering serious injuries, the Indian captain managed to open the cockpit door and alert people outside, allowing them to intervene. The aircraft was also in a steep descent during the confrontation.
Passengers rushed towards the cockpit after hearing the commotion. Two Flydubai pilots travelling as passengers also joined the effort. They were scheduled to operate the aircraft’s return flight.
The two off-duty pilots then took control of the aircraft, helped stabilise it and diverted it to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
Passengers Yaniv Hayun, Asaf Rajuan and Tzvika Manes were among those who entered the cockpit and helped overpower and restrain al-Hammami. Dentist Shota Musaev provided first aid to the injured Smit Machchhar.
Musaev said Machchhar had suffered extensive injuries and significant blood loss.
