Sulur: The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died in the LCA Tejas crash at the Dubai Air Show 2025, were brought to Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore on Sunday morning. A special Indian Air Force aircraft transported the remains back to India, where the Emirati Defence Forces accorded him a ceremonial guard of honour in recognition of his service.
The IAF confirmed his death after the Tejas fighter crashed and went up in flames during a demonstration on Friday. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, and Consul General Satish Sivan had paid their respects on Saturday before the aircraft departed for India. The Indian Embassy noted that the brave officer was honoured with full military dignity in the UAE.
Wing Commander Syal hailed from Nagrota Bagwan in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district. He is survived by his wife, who also serves in the Indian Air Force, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents. His native village slipped into grief as relatives, neighbours and locals gathered to express solidarity with the family. Villagers remembered him as an exceptionally bright child and a source of pride for the community.
Residents expressed deep sorrow over the loss, calling it a tragedy that someone so courageous and full of life was taken so suddenly. The Indian Air Force has ordered a court of inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.
