Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after reportedly fighting off an alleged cockpit attack and helping save 174 people aboard a flydubai flight. Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by his Omani co-pilot during the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Despite being injured and covered in blood, the Indian captain managed to activate the cockpit door release, allowing passengers and crew to enter and overpower the alleged attacker. Investigators are examining whether an aircraft crash axe, rather than a smuggled knife, was used in the attack.  

Belgium has given India assurances after New Delhi raised concerns over arms supplies to Pakistan, even as India-Belgium strategic ties enter a new phase. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi, with defence, trade, technology, clean energy and critical minerals emerging as key areas of cooperation. The two sides are also pushing deeper defence-industrial cooperation, including collaboration linked to the Zorawar light tank, while India and Belgium aim to significantly expand bilateral trade.