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An Indian pilot who was attacked by his co-pilot on an Israel-bound Flydubai plane has received a call in his hospital bed from India PM Narendra Modi.

Visibly emotional, Capt Smit Machchhar said he fought back because he could not allow everyone on the flight to die.

He has been hailed a hero for opening the cockpit door, allowing passengers to overpower the attacker.

The flight, which had departed from Dubai, landed safely in Saudi Arabia. All on board survived.

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