Shimla: Wing Commander Namansh Syal (34), a resident of Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, was martyred in the crash of an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet during the Dubai Air Show. After the completion of the formalities in Dubai, his body is expected to reach Kangra by Monday, where the last rites will be performed in his native village.
Father watched the video of the accident on YouTube
Namash Syal’s father, Jagannath Syal, came to know about his son’s martyrdom while watching the video of the air show on YouTube. A day before the accident, Namansh had asked his father to watch the videos of the air show. While watching the video, he got the news of the Tejas accident.
He said, “I was watching the video when I heard the report of the Tejas accident. My heart broke.” Immediately, he called his daughter-in-law, who also serves in the Air Force. After a while, six Air Force officers reached his house and confirmed the entire incident.
16 years of service, accident on the last day of the air show
Namansh was serving in the Indian Air Force for the last 16 years and was currently stationed in Coimbatore. He was participating in the Dubai Air Show for six days. Friday was the last day of the air show when the Tejas aircraft crashed.
Wife Afsan, who is also an IAF pilot
Namansh is survived by his wife Afsan, a daughter and parents. His parents were in Hyderabad at the time of the accident. His wife, Afsan is also an IAF pilot.
Tejas took off from Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport
A statement issued by the Air Force said that the Tejas Mk-1 was performing a demo flight from Dubai’s Al Maktoum Airport when the aircraft lost control and crashed with a loud bang. Wing Commander Namansh Syal was martyred in the accident.
A Court of Inquiry will be set up to find out the causes of the accident. This is the second major accident involving the Tejas aircraft. The previous accident was due to engine failure in Pokhran in 2024.
Tribute meeting at Sujanpur Sainik School
Namansh studied till class 12 at Sujanpur Sainik School in Hamirpur district. A tribute meeting was organized at the school on Saturday, where students and teachers remembered him with tearful eyes. School Principal Rachna Joshi said that Namansh was a very bright student and was the House Captain of Chenab House.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also expressed deep grief over his martyrdom. They wrote on X:
“The country has lost a brave, dedicated and courageous pilot. We pay tribute to our brave son, Namansh Sial.”
दुबई एयर शो में हुए तेजस विमान हादसे में हिमाचल प्रदेश के कांगड़ा ज़िला के वीर सपूत नमन स्याल जी के निधन का समाचार अत्यंत दुःखद और हृदयविदारक है।
देश ने एक बहादुर, कर्तव्यनिष्ठ और साहसी पायलट खो दिया है।
शोकाकुल परिवारजनों के प्रति अपनी गहरी संवेदनाएँ प्रकट करता हूँ।
वीर सपूत… pic.twitter.com/lfX1yinf4Q
— Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) November 21, 2025
Unable to recover from negative G-force turn
Experts say that during the accident, the Tejas entered a negative G-force turn, due to which the aircraft lost balance. The video clearly shows the aircraft falling straight down with no chance of recovery.