Wing Commander Namansh Syal.
New Delhi: Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the Indian Air Force pilot killed when his Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Air Show, was cremated with full military honours, on Sunday, at his native village of Patialkad in Nagrota Bagwan tehsil of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Around a thousand people gathered to pay their respects to the 34-year-old pilot, with local residents chanting patriotic slogans and “Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Nammu bhai ka naam rahega (As long as the sun and moon remain, Nammu bhai’s name will remain),” using his village nickname.
The cremation followed a solemn ceremony at Sulur Air Force Station near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, where Wg Cdr Syal was posted with No. 45 Squadron, known as the Flying Daggers. His mortal remains were flown to Gaggal Airport in Kangra on a special Air Force aircraft. Government officials including the Ayush minister, Yadvinder Goma, and the Tourism Development Corporation chairman, RS Bali, attended the final rites. Goma termed the loss “unbearable for both the state and the country.”
Wg Cdr Syal died on Saturday, when his Tejas LCA (light combat aircraft) crashed at approximately 3.40pm IST near the runway at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai during a low-altitude negative-G manoeuvre, as India Sentinels had reported earlier. The aircraft, tail number LA-5026, lost control and descended in flames. He was unable to eject and sustained fatal injuries.
Family’s emotional farewell
Wg Cdr Syal’s wife, Wing Commander Afshan Akhtar, also a serving IAF officer, was attending a professional training course in Kolkata when the tragedy struck. She travelled to be with her family for the final rites. His parents, Jagan Nath Syal and Veena Devi, had been at Sulur Air Force Station to meet their son when the crash occurred.
She is Wing Cdr Afsana Afshan Akhtar Syal
— Go Himachal (@GoHimachal_) November 23, 2025
She gave final salute to Wing Cdr Namansh Syal is not just a gesture of duty—it's a testament to unbreakable courage and love.
From the quiet mountains of Himachal to the heartbeat of India, the nation grieves and stands in reverence.… pic.twitter.com/iXgy0pqGUH
They accompanied his remains on the special IAF aircraft from Coimbatore to Kangra, along with Afshan and their six-year-old daughter, Aarya. His uncle, Madan Lal, and cousin, Nishant, who performed the final rites, were present at the cremation. Wg Cdr Syal also has an elder sister who works with the Himachal Pradesh Education Department.
Nation lost a ‘remarkable’ pilot
Wg Cdr Afshan’s most poignant moment came when, standing in uniform while holding their young daughter, she offered a final salute to her husband’s garlanded coffin. The emotional gesture, captured on video, resonated across the nation.
Jagan Nath Syal, a retired Indian Army Medical Corps officer, spoke to media with profound emotion: “The country has lost a remarkable pilot, I have lost my son. When I asked him about the air show he told me to watch on YouTube.” He recalled: “From LKG till he completed his education he was never slapped by me. In whichever competition he took part he always stood first.”
His uncle, Madan Lal, remembered him as “a very down to earth person, so honest and straightforward that he was loved by all.”
The Dubai Air Show crash
This was Wg Cdr Syal’s fourth demonstration flight at the Dubai Air Show, following successful displays on November 17, 18, and 20. Video footage showed him attempting multiple recovery manoeuvres before the crash. Preliminary assessments suggest difficulties in recovering from a high-G turn, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Horrified spectators witnessed black smoke billowing over the airport as the aircraft exploded.
An Indian Air Force #Tejas LCA crashed during an aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show 2025, going on at the UAE’s Al Maktoum International Airport. The pilot, who couldn’t eject, was killed in the accident.
— India Sentinels (@indiasentinels) November 21, 2025
More details awaited.@IAF_MCC @SpokespersonMoD @HQ_IDS_India pic.twitter.com/KOzg2U7dUn
Following the tragedy, American air show pilot Major Taylor “Fema” Hiester cancelled his team’s final performance “out of respect to the pilot, his colleagues and family”, although the Dubai Air Show organizers controversially continued with the flying schedule.
The Indian Air Force constituted a court of inquiry to determine the cause. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited later described the crash as an “isolated occurrence” caused by “exceptional circumstances” without providing further details, pledging cooperation with ongoing investigations. Both Indian and Dubai authorities are conducting separate inquiries.
This marked only the second crash of a Tejas aircraft since the fighter entered operational service in July 2016. The first Tejas crash happened in March 2024 during Exercise Bharat Shakti – 2024 near Pokhran in Rajasthan, as India Sentinels had reported then.
A distinguished career
Wg Cdr Namansh Syal was born in Patialkad, a remote village in Nagrota Bagwan tehsil of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. He came from a family with deep military traditions and public service values. His father, Jagan Nath Syal, served with distinction in the Indian Army Medical Corps before transitioning to civilian life as an educator, eventually retiring as a principal with the Himachal Pradesh Education Department. His mother, Veena Devi, supported the family’s commitment to service and education.
Growing up in this environment, young Namansh developed early aspirations to serve the nation through the armed forces. His disciplined upbringing and natural abilities were evident from childhood. Villagers recalled him as an outstanding athlete and student who distinguished himself through dedication and hard work. He received his formal schooling at Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, in Hamirpur district, one of India’s premier military schools known for preparing students for defence careers.
After completing his secondary education, Syal briefly enrolled at the National Institute of Technology, Hamirpur, but soon departed to pursue his passion for the armed forces. He successfully cleared the highly competitive National Defence Academy examination and joined that prestigious institution, where he trained with the Hunter Squadron, receiving commendation and honours during his formative training years.
Following his NDA training, he earned his pilot wings at the Air Force Academy, where he completed the rigorous phases required to qualify as a fighter pilot.
Wg Cdr Syal was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on December 24, 2009, at the commencement of what would become a 16-year distinguished service record. During his aviation career, he accumulated extensive operational experience across multiple fighter platforms, demonstrating versatility and exceptional skill.
He flew the MiG-21, widely regarded as a demanding aircraft to operate, for approximately eight to nine years, during which he showcased his proficiency on this formidable platform. Subsequently, he qualified and served as a flying instructor, dedicating approximately three years to training younger generations of pilots entering the Air Force. This role reflected not only his technical expertise but also his commitment to building the service’s future capabilities.
More recently, he was selected to fly the HAL Tejas LCA, India’s indigenous single-engine fighter jet. He served with this advanced platform for the last four years of his career, posted at Sulur Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu with No. 45 Squadron, known as the Flying Daggers, one of the elite IAF units operating the Tejas.
Syal met his wife, Afshan Akhtar, during their first posting in Pathankot. They married in 2014 and had one daughter together. Despite their demanding military careers, they maintained close family bonds and supported each other’s professional aspirations within the service.
The IAF recognized his exemplary service and described him in official tributes as “a dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional” who “served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill and an unyielding sense of duty.”
The Indian Air Force 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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) November 22, 2025
A dedicated fighter pilot and thorough professional, he served the nation with unwavering commitment, exceptional skill… pic.twitter.com/1XytMiFWsG
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, called him “a brave and courageous IAF pilot,” while the chief of defence staff, General Anil Chauhan, expressed that the armed forces stood firmly with his bereaved family.
Those who knew Syal personally remembered him for his humility and grounded nature. His village sarpanch and local residents described him as exceptionally humble, never forgetting his roots despite his distinguished career and achievements. His schoolmate, Pankaj Chadha, recalled him as “one of our gems” and “the pride of our school.”
The loss of Wing Commander Namansh Syal represents a significant blow to the Indian Air Force and the nation. His death removes from service a highly skilled and committed military aviator whose 16-year career was dedicated to defending India and advancing the country’s indigenous defence capabilities through his role as one of the premier pilots of the Tejas programme.
