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Grief in Kangra After Tejas Crash Claims Life of IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal at Dubai Airshow
IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal, a highly disciplined officer from Kangra’s Patialakhar village, lost his life after a Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during practice at the Dubai Airshow. His death has left the entire region in mourning, as tributes pour in for his courage, service and sacrifice.
A wave of grief swept through Patialakhar village in Kangra district and the wider Nagrota Bagwan area after 34-year-old Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal lost his life in a Tejas fighter aircraft crash during practice at the 19th Dubai Airshow on Friday afternoon.
Wing Commander Syal, known for his discipline and outstanding service record, was posted at the Hyderabad Air Force Station. He is survived by his wife Afsana—also an Indian Air Force officer—and their five-year-old daughter.
His parents, Jagan Nath—a retired Army officer who later served as a principal in the Himachal Pradesh Education Department—and his mother Beena Devi, were in Hyderabad visiting their son and daughter-in-law at the time of the incident.
Mamta, the Pradhan of Patialakhar, said the family home had been locked for several days. Speaking with a heavy heart, she added, “After hearing the heartbreaking news, I called Beena Devi ji. She couldn’t speak… she was utterly shattered.”
The sudden tragedy has devastated the entire region, yet locals say they remain proud of their brave son. Residents remember Wing Commander Syal as a dedicated officer who carried out his duties with integrity until his final moments.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound sorrow over the loss, saying the nation has lost a courageous and devoted pilot. He added that Wing Commander Syal’s bravery and unwavering commitment to the country will always be remembered, offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
According to the village Pradhan, the mortal remains of the officer are expected to reach his ancestral village by Sunday. He will be laid to rest with full military honours. Former Pradhan Sanjay Kumar Chaudhary said, “His supreme sacrifice has left an indelible mark on every heart in Patialakhar. He will always be remembered as a brave son of this soil.”
