
Wing Commander Namansh Syal’s Mortal Remains Reach Home (Source: ANI)
The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force pilot who lost his life in a Tejas fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show, reached his native Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. An IAF aircraft carrying his body landed at the Kangra airport before the remains were transported to his ancestral village in Nagrota Bagwan (Patiyalkar) for the final rituals.
Before arriving in Himachal, Wing Commander Syal's body was brought to Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar paid floral tribute at the base, where Air Force personnel and officials gathered to pay their respects to the fallen pilot.
Wing Commander Namansh Syal's family members, including his wife, Wing Commander Afshan, were also present.
Wing Commander Syal, who was flying the HAL-built Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, reportedly lost control before the aircraft crashed and burst into flames during a low-altitude aerial display at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport on November 21. Videos from the scene showed the jet diving before it exploded into a massive fireball and thick black smoke. The Indian Air Force said Syal suffered fatal injuries and ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the crash.
Syal, 34, belonged to Patiyalkar village in Nagrota Bagwan area of Kangra district. He was an alumnus of Sainik School Sujanpur Tira and joined the IAF in December 2009. He is survived by his wife, also an IAF officer, a daughter and his parents.
The Indian Air Force described Wing Commander Syal as a “dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional” known for his exceptional skill and commitment. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss. Tributes also came from public personalities, including actor Kamal Haasan, who called him “a brave son of India taken far too soon.”
Also Read: Dubai Jet Crash Update: Wing Commander Namansh Syal’s Remains Reach Kangra Today