The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who tragically died in a Tejas fighter jet crash during a stunt flight at the Dubai Air Show, was brought back to Sulur Air Force Base in Tamil Nadu. Here, Coimbatore District Collector Pawan Kumar and District Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan laid a wreath and paid tribute.

Earlier, the Indian Air Force paid tribute to the brave pilot, mourning the loss of the nation’s son. Wing Commander Namansh Syal was performing a manoeuvre when his Tejas fighter plane crashed during the Dubai Air Show on Nov 21. 

IAF mourns tragic loss of ‘dedicated fighter pilot’

In a statement on Saturday, the Indian Air Force said it “deeply mourns the tragic loss of Wg Cdr Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the unfortunate Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show. A dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional, he served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill and an unyielding sense of duty”. 

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“His dignified persona earned him immense respect through a life devoted to service, and was visible in the send-off attended by UAE Officials, colleagues, friends, and the officials of the Indian Embassy. The IAF stands in solidarity with his family in this hour of profound grief and honours his legacy of courage, devotion and honour. May his service be remembered with gratitude,” the IAF further said.

Earlier on Saturday, Indian ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Deepak Mittal and Consulate General Satish Sivan paid their respects to Wing Commander Namansh Syal.

“Ambassador Deepak Mittal and CG Satish Sivan paid their respects to Late Wing Commander Namansh Syal. A special IAF aircraft transported his mortal remains back to India. The Emirati Defence Forces honoured the Indian braveheart with a ceremonial guard of honour,” an official post by the Indian Embassy in the UAE stated on X.

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Grief engulfs Namansh Syal’s village 

Wing Commander Syal hailed from the Nagrota Bagwan in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district and is survived by his wife (who is also an officer in the Indian Air Force), their six-year-old daughter and his parents. Relatives, neighbours and locals began gathering at his ancestral home with shock and sorrow soon after the news of his demise was confirmed. 

“All of us are very sad to know about this accident. People are going to his house to show solidarity and express grief. The family is not here, but the extended family members are here. He was a brilliant child, and we are proud of him,” Mehar Chand, a villager, told ANI.

Another said, “We cannot accept that someone so full of life and courage is no longer with us. The entire village is sad and shattered.” 

The IAF has constituted a court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the accident.