Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, November 23, 2025 – The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who tragically lost his life in a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) crash at the Dubai Air Show, have arrived in his native village of Patiyalkar in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. The village is in deep mourning as preparations are underway for his last rites, which will be performed with full state and military honors.

Wing Commander Syal, 34, died on November 21 when the Tejas aircraft he was piloting crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered a court of inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident. Eyewitness accounts and videos show the aircraft nosediving before erupting into a massive fireball. It was the first fatal incident for the Tejas during an international showcase.

The IAF confirmed his demise and expressed deep regret for the loss of life, standing firmly with the bereaved family. The Emirati Defence Forces accorded him a ceremonial guard of honor in recognition of his bravery and service.

Wing Commander Syal's body was first flown to Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, where officials and IAF personnel paid their respects. The Coimbatore District Collector, Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, laid a wreath at the base. From there, a special IAF aircraft transported his remains to Kangra Airport, and then to his native village. Visuals have surfaced showing the arrival of Wing Commander Syal's mortal remains at Kangra Airport. His last rites are expected to be performed after 2 pm today. Subdivisional Magistrate Munish Kumar is overseeing arrangements for the funeral, anticipating a large turnout.

Wing Commander Syal is survived by his wife, who is also an IAF officer, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents, Jagan Nath and Beena Devi. His father, a retired principal from the Himachal Pradesh Education Department and a veteran of the Indian Army Medical Corps, learned about the crash while searching for videos of the air show on YouTube.

The news of Wing Commander Syal's death has plunged his village and the entire Kangra district into grief. Villagers, relatives, and former schoolmates have gathered at his ancestral home to mourn the loss of the "gem" and "pride" of their community, recalling his sharp intellect and achievements. He was a former student of Sainik School Sujanpur Tira and DPS Dalhousie. He was commissioned into the IAF in December 2009. Before joining NDA, Namansh enrolled in the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur.

The Indian Air Force has paid tribute to Wing Commander Syal as a dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional known for his unwavering commitment and exceptional skill. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the loss of the state's "brave son". Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also conveyed his condolences.