While Looking for Air Show Footage, Wing Commander Syal’s Father Receives Tragic News

Wing Commander Namansh Syal’s Father Learned of Tejas Crash Through YouTube Clip

Indian Air Force Wing Commander Namansh Syal’s father discovered his son had died in a Tejas fighter jet crash not through an official call but while watching YouTube. Jagan Nath Syal, a retired school principal from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, was searching for his son’s performance at the Dubai Air Show on Friday when a news video about the accident appeared—revealing the devastating truth.

“I had spoken to Namansh just yesterday,” he told The Indian Express. “He asked me to watch his display on TV or YouTube. While I was searching around 4 pm, I suddenly saw the news of the crash. I called my daughter-in-law, who is also a Wing Commander, and soon after six Air Force officers reached our home. That’s when I knew something terrible had happened.”

Wing Commander Syal’s wife is currently undergoing training in Kolkata, while his parents have been staying in Coimbatore for the past two weeks to care for his seven-year-old daughter, Arya.

Namansh Syal studied at Dalhousie, Army Public School Yol Cantt, Dharamshala, and Sainik School Sujanpur Tira, before joining the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2009.
“He was brilliant in academics and full of dreams. His martyrdom has completely shattered us,” his father said. His mother, Veena Syal, is reportedly in shock and unable to speak.

Officials have told the family that repatriation of his mortal remains may take two days.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief, calling Syal a “brave, dedicated and courageous pilot” and offering condolences to the bereaved family. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said the administration is in touch with the family and assisting with all formalities.

What was meant to be a showcase of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft turned tragic when the LCA Tejas crashed during a high-speed manoeuvre at the Dubai Air Show. The 34-year-old pilot could not recover the aircraft after a sharp turn, and it went down moments later. The Indian Air Force has ordered a Court of Inquiry to determine the cause of the accident.