02102026-TTC-01.qxd 10/2/2026 12:20 AM 13 WHO ORDERED CHANGE IN FORM 6: RAHUL NATION /thetribunechd Page 1 NITESH BAGS SILVER IN WRESTLING BACK PAGE CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 146 NO. 272 | 16 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 HARYANA friday | 2 october 2026 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Modi, Bibi hail flydubai pilot as hero; Israel says co-pilot radicalised, suicidal CLIFFHANGER WIN PTI Stabbed Indian pilot airlifted to Abu Dhabi | UAE orders probe into possible hijack Captain Smit may get Ashoka Chakra for mid-air heroics Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service BRAVEHEART IS IN GOOD HEALTH: INDIAN MISSION Captain Smit Machchhar is in a “good health and recovering well”, the Indian Embassy in the UAE said, adding the Ambassador visited him in the hospital. REUTERS New Delhi, October 1 Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, whose actions helped avert a mid-air catastrophe aboard a flydubai flight to Tel Aviv, has drawn praise from leaders across the world, even as investigators probe whether the dramatic cockpit attack that left him seriously injured had any terrorist motive or was part of a planned attempt to hijack the aircraft. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the tributes, hailing Machchhar’s bravery in the face of grave danger. Modi said the pilot had fought valiantly to prevent what could have turned into another 9/11-like tragedy, putting the lives of passengers ahead of his own safety. He said he had also spoken to Machchhar’s parents and wife. “Today, the entire world is proud of him,” Modi said, describing his actions as a source of pride for every Indian. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him as a “true hero” whose actions saved the lives of all 174 people onboard. “My salute to the Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery,” Netanyahu said, adding that continued on page 6 edit: Courage in the air Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu with Yaniv Hayun, one of the passengers who overpowered the attacker on the flydubai flight, at Ben Gurion Airport. Gujarat announces state honour for pilot IRAN MAY BE LINKED TO ATTACKER, SAYS TRUMP ■ US Prez Trump says Iran may ■ Meanwhile, initial Saudi be linked to the flydubai copilot who tried to crash the plane ■ Asked if he had been briefed on it, Trump said: “Based on what I’m hearing, answer is yes” probe has indicated that copilot assaulted the captain ■ Saudis are working with countries, including Israel, to try to determine a motive Plumber, dentist turn unlikely saviours Ujwal Jalali Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 1 It began with a violent struggle in the cockpit and a sudden plunge that left passengers screaming and children crying. Flydubai flight FZ1073, carrying 174 persons from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was cruising at about 34,000 feet when the copilot allegedly attacked Cap- tain Smit Machchhar, stabbing the Indian pilot and sending the aircraft into a dive. Flight-tracking data showed the Boeing 737 losing more than 16,000 feet in about 35 seconds, with its speed surging towards 700 mph. Seriously wounded and bleeding, Machchhar managed to unlock the cockpit door. That single act opened New Delhi, October 1 Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar may be considered for India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally leading salutations for him, and leaders, cutting the way for passengers and crew to rush in. Yaniv Hayoun, an Israeli passenger and a plumber by profession, was among those who entered. He grabbed the attacker in a chokehold and dragged him away from the controls. According to reports, Hayoun said he pulled back on the aircraft’s controls in an attempt to continued on page 6 c m y b across party lines, coming out to hail his heroic act that saved lives on the flydubai Dubai-Tel Aviv flight yesterday. PM Modi lauded Smit today and reiterated Israel counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks that the Indian helped avert a 9/11-type tragedy. “Yesterday, we saw what happened. Smit averted a 9/11-type tragedy, as also stated by Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu. Smit displayed high levels of patience, courage and presence of mind to save co-passengers,” Modi said while addressing an event to mark 100 years of the Union Public Service Commission. Earlier today, PM Modi spoke to the wife and parents continued on page 6 India survived a fierce Pakistan fightback, scoring a last-minute goal to seal a 4-3 win and set up a hockey final clash against Malaysia in Asian Games. Harmanpreet converted two penalty corners, while Sukhjeet scored a field goal. At 3-3, Abhishek struck the winning goal with 45 seconds remaining. Singla tipped to replace Warring as Pb Cong chief Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 1 All India Congress Committee joint treasurer and former Lok Sabha MP from Sangrur Vijay Inder Singla is emerging as the likely frontrunner to replace Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who has put in his papers. Warring, the Ludhiana Lok Sabha MP changed his X bio , today to call himself former Punjab Pradesh Congress president. Although the Congress is yet to make the name of Warring’s replacement official, The Tri- WARRING CHANGES X BIO Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the Ludhiana Lok Sabha Member of Parliament, changed his X bio on Thursday to call himself former Punjab Pradesh Congress president. bune has learnt that Singla was earlier too the favourite to replace Warring but the move was stalled on account of dissent by senior Sikh leaders of the state. The almost final proposal which had both Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi’s approval continued on page 6 EightMahastudents drownduringpicnic MUMBAI: Eight students on a picnic drowned at a beach in Maharashtra’s Raigad district on Thursday, the police said. The Class XI and XII students were part of a group from a private coaching centre in Pune district. INSIDE ~62.50 hike in price of commercial LPG NEW DELHI: The price of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder was increased by Rs 62.50 to Rs 2,810 in Delhi from Thursday. The 5-kg FTL cylinder has become Rs 15.50 costlier at Rs 779.50. The domestic LPG price remains unchanged. — PTI
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).
