Who is the 'hero' Indian pilot who was stabbed on Israel-bound flight?

Capt Machchhar, who was raised in Mumbai and whose parents still reside there, began his aviation career with SpiceJet in 2011 before relocating to Dubai and later joining Flydubai by 2022. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has accumulated more than 9,750 flight hours, including over 6,400 hours as pilot‑in‑command. A former SpiceJet leader described him in a statement as a “hero” who has “saved countless lives.” Last year Capt Machchhar discussed his path to the cockpit and his experiences as an aviator on the podcast Bona‑Fide Banter. During the interview he said, “Aviation, helium said, was “never a puerility dream”. When helium was astir 19, helium joined a absorption course, readying to enactment with his family's business. But past helium came crossed an aviation seminar and "the bug spot [him]," helium added.” He also remarked, “Machchhar besides spoke astir how, erstwhile helium wore his pilot's uniform, helium was "no-nonsense" and thought "about enactment 100%". But dissimilar his younger days, helium added, helium present placed a greater worth connected having a steadfast work-life equilibrium and spending clip with family.” Offering advice, he stated, “Give idiosyncratic beingness adjacent value - it volition assistance you alert longer,” helium advised. Reflecting on in‑flight challenges, he noted, “He besides elaborate challenges helium had faced successful the air, including erstwhile a rider went into aboriginal labour and the unit worked unneurotic to guarantee the babe was calved safely.” He credited senior pilots for his development, saying, “In aviation terms, I was fortunate to turn up with radical who helped maine beryllium the aviator that I americium today," helium said, crediting elder pilots with teaching him however to look stressful situations.” At the time of the conversation Capt Machchhar observed, “At the clip of the conversation, Capt Machchhar said that nary level he'd flown had had to marque an exigency landing. He had, however, faced aesculapian emergencies and insignificant craft issues causing delays.” Regarding delays, he added, “He said delays were "not my problem. As agelong arsenic you're walking retired of the craft [safely], that's what I want.” Indian social media has since flooded with praise, labeling him a hero and sharing clips from the podcast.