Why our backs still hurt — Javed Akhtar breaks it down

An eyewitness and passenger, Almog Itai, recounted surviving a mid-air attack aboard an aircraft during an interaction on The Lunch Break. The passenger detailed how Indian pilot Captain Smeet Macher prevented the plane from crashing despite sustaining severe stab wounds during an assault in the cockpit. According to the eyewitness, who was travelling with his wife and two teenage children, the flight experienced severe turbulence akin to a rollercoaster after a second warping, prompting passengers to rush toward the cockpit to assist. Almog stated that the pilot opened the cockpit door, enabling individuals to step in and secure the aircraft before landing safely. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke directly with the recovering pilot, who remains hospitalised with bandages and medical tubes. Almog praised Captain Smeet Macher as a global hero whose fast actions and bravery saved hundreds of passengers, noting that an onboard doctor provided critical medical assistance between life and death.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video call with Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who is currently undergoing medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates after being stabbed mid-flight. During the conversation, Prime Minister Modi commended Captain Machchhar for his extraordinary courage, composure, and quick decision-making under severe duress, noting that his actions saved the lives of passengers and brought pride to the nation. Machchhar recounted the critical moments inside the cockpit, explaining that despite falling to the floor with grievous wounds and sensing the aircraft descending, his seventeen years of flying experience prompted him to deliver a final push to open the door. He shared that reciting the Hanuman Chalisa provided him strength during the crisis and expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support received from citizens, authorities, and medical staff in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Prime Minister Modi also praised Machchhar's family for their fortitude and wished him a swift recovery.

Delhi Police detained several Aam Aadmi Party workers attempting to stage a demonstration at Jantar Mantar against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. With permission denied, security personnel sealed the protest site with barricades and fortified the Election Commission office. Prohibitory orders were enforced in the vicinity, disrupting vehicular traffic and closing entry and exit gates across 11 Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and Central Secretariat. The opposition demands Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, the suspension of the Special Intensive Revision exercise, restoration of deleted voters, and an inquiry into election data discrepancies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot who helped thwart an attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, saving the lives of all 180 people on board.