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

Capt Machchhar has more than 9,750 hours of flying experience, including more than 6,400 hours as pilot-in-command, according to his LinkedIn profile.His former employer SpiceJet issued a statement calling Machchhar a "hero" who had saved "countless lives".Last year, Capt Machchhar spoke about how he started flying and his experiences as a pilot on a podcast called Bona-Fide Banter.Aviation, he said, was "never a childhood dream". When he was around 19, he joined a management course, planning to work with his family's business. But then he came across an aviation seminar and "the bug bit [him]," he added.Machchhar also spoke about how, when he wore his pilot's uniform, he was "no-nonsense" and thought "about work 100%". But unlike his younger days, he added, he now placed a greater value on having a healthy work-life balance and spending time with family."Give personal life equal importance - it will help you fly longer," he advised.He also detailed challenges he had faced in the air, including when a passenger went into early labour and the crew worked together to ensure the baby was born safely."In aviation terms, I was lucky to grow up with people who helped me be the pilot that I am today," he said, crediting senior pilots with teaching him how to face stressful situations.