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Stabbed Indian Pilot Recited Hanuman Chalisa During Attack, Tells PM Modi

Captain Smit Machchhar, who was stabbed aboard a flydubai aircraft, spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video call and shared details of the spiritual practices that sustained him during the traumatic incident.

LSN India · 2 October 2026

Stabbed Indian Pilot Recited Hanuman Chalisa During Attack, Tells PM Modi

Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who was stabbed during an altercation on a flydubai flight, recounted his experience to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a video interaction. The pilot revealed that he had recited the Hanuman Chalisa during the violent incident, drawing strength from the religious hymn as he faced the attack.

During the conversation with the Prime Minister, Machchhar became visibly emotional as he reflected on the incident. The pilot expressed that speaking directly with Modi was a deeply meaningful moment for him, highlighting the significance of receiving acknowledgment from the nation's top leadership during his recovery from the traumatic ordeal.

The incident occurred on the flydubai flight, where Machchhar faced an unexpected assault that left him injured. His account of reciting the sacred Hindu prayer during the attack resonated with many in India, where such spiritual practices are deeply valued. The interaction with Modi underscores the government's concern for the well-being of Indian citizens, particularly those working abroad in critical roles.

Capt. Machchhar's resilience and the manner in which he drew upon his faith during the crisis has been widely noted. The video call with the Prime Minister appears to have provided him emotional support and recognition during his recuperation period.