Wing Commander Namansh Syal has been identified as the Indian Air Force pilot who lost his life when a Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, news agency ANI reported. The accident occurred around 3.30 pm Indian time, when the single-engine fighter abruptly lost altitude mid-manoeuvre and crashed near the Al Maktoum International Airport. Visuals from the crash site showed thick black smoke rising over the airfield as stunned spectators looked on.
The IAF confirmed the fatality and announced that a court of inquiry has been ordered to determine the cause of the accident. “We deeply regret the loss of life and stand firmly with the bereaved family,” the Air Force said in a statement.
Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal?
Wing Commander Namansh Syal originally hailed from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. He was flying the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas when it went down during a mid-air manoeuvre.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the tragic incident and called Syal “a courageous, dutiful and valiant pilot”. In a post on X, he said the news of the officer’s death was “extremely heartbreaking and soul-shattering”.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and other senior leaders extended their condolences. In a statement issued through the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, General Chauhan said all ranks of the Indian Armed Forces “deeply regret the incident” and stand with the family in this time of grief.
More about Tejas jet
The Tejas fighter jet, a 4.5-generation indigenous aircraft, is designed for offensive air support, close combat and ground-attack missions. Built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the aircraft is also capable of maritime operations. The Tejas family includes both single-seat fighter variants for the Air Force and Navy and twin-seat trainer versions.
Friday’s crash has renewed focus on the aircraft’s safety record, as investigators now examine what led to the accident during what was intended to be a showcase moment for India’s homegrown fighter platform at a global aviation stage.
