Tejas crash Dubai: IAF’s heartfelt tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, shares video

Namansh Syal, a resident of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, was widely respected within the force, the IAF said, noting that his dignified persona and professionalism were evident in the send-off attended by UAE officials, colleagues, friends and Indian Embassy representatives. “The IAF stands in solidarity with his family in this hour of profound grief and honours his legacy of courage, devotion and honour,” the statement said.

Syal is survived by his wife, also an Indian Air Force officer, their seven-year-old daughter, and his parents. Relatives in Patiyalkar village told ANI the family and community were devastated.

Crash during demonstration flight

The Tejas aircraft went down at around 2:10 pm local time during a flying demonstration near Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport. Initial visuals indicate the pilot was unable to recover from a negative-G manoeuvre performed at low altitude.

The IAF has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the crash.

Who is Wing Commander Namansh Syal ?

Born and raised in Patialkad village, Syal was the son of Jagan Nath Syal, a retired school principal, and Veena Syal. His father recalls him as a disciplined and brilliant student who “dreamt big”. His schooling took him through Primary School Dalhousie, Army Public School Yol Cantt in Dharamshala, and Sainik School Sujanpur Tira.

In 2009, Naman fulfilled that dream after clearing the prestigious NDA exam, setting him on the path to becoming a fighter pilot. Known for his professionalism and technical excellence, he rose through the ranks and earned deep respect within the IAF.

Syal, who was 34, is survived by his wife — also a Wing Commander in the Air Force — their seven-year-old daughter Aarya, and his parents. At the time of the crash, his wife was undergoing training in Kolkata, while his parents were in Coimbatore helping care for their granddaughter.

Relatives of Wing Commander Namansh Syal mourn his loss in the LCA Tejas crash in Dubai, at Patiyalkar village, in Kangra on Saturday. (ANI Video Grab)

His father recounts that he last spoke to Naman the day before the crash, when the young officer asked him to watch his performance at the Dubai Air Show on TV or YouTube. It was while searching for those videos that he came across news reports of a Tejas crash, moments before Air Force officers arrived at the family’s home with the devastating confirmation.

“He was excellent in studies and dreamt big about his life. This incident has left us shattered,” the grieving father told The Indian Express.

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