New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Captain Smit Machchaar, the Indian pilot who helped prevent an alleged attempt to sabotage an Israel-bound flydubai flight, and praised his courage during the mid-air emergency.

During the phone call, Machchaar spoke to Modi about his experience during the incident and what gave him the strength to respond despite being seriously injured, government sources said.

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Modi praised the pilot's bravery and wished him a speedy recovery. The Prime Minister also spoke to Machchaar's wife and parents and commended his actions, which helped protect hundreds of passengers.

The incident took place on flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft, carrying 174 people, including 27 children, issued emergency signals before making a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from an altitude of around 34,000 feet.

The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

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Videos circulating on social media showed the pilot covered in blood and wearing an oxygen mask inside the aircraft.

Modi had described Machchaar as a “HERO” in his remarks on Thursday, saying the pilot had shown “immense courage and unwavering resolve” despite suffering serious injuries.

Addressing the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Modi also referred to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comments about the incident.

Netanyahu had compared the incident to an attempted September 11-style attack and praised the Indian pilot's actions.

According to Netanyahu's account, an Israeli passenger told him that the aircraft went into a spin and began losing altitude. The passenger and a crew member then reportedly managed to enter the cockpit and overpower the pilot accused of carrying out the stabbing.

The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.