Wg Cdr Namansh Syal's mortal remains arrive in native village for last rites | VIDEO

Kangra: The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who died in the LCA Tejas crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025, were brought to his native village, Patialkar, in Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district on Sunday for his final rites.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) had confirmed his death after the indigenously built Tejas aircraft crashed and caught fire during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show on Friday.

Villagers mourned the officer’s demise and gathered ahead of the cremation to pay their respects. Local resident Sandeep Kumar said the entire village had been in grief since receiving the news. “We are from the same village as Namansh, Patialkar. Everyone here is heartbroken. He was like our younger brother. This should not have happened. We met him three or four months ago when he last came home,” Kumar said.

Pankaj Chadha, who studied with Wing Commander Syal at Sainik School Sujanpur Tira, called the loss “irreparable.” “I studied in the same school as Namansh. We have lost one of our gems. He was the pride of our school. We will be at Patialkar to pay our respects. He made all of us proud,” he told ANI.

Earlier in the day, the officer’s uncle, Madan Lal, recalled his nephew’s childhood and expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “He was my nephew. The whole village is mourning and waiting for his mortal remains to arrive. His last rites will be held today. This is a huge loss for the nation. He had a sharp mind and always came first in school,” he told ANI.

Earlier on Sunday morning, the mortal remains were flown to Sulur Air Base in Coimbatore before being transported to his hometown. The Emirati Defence Forces accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to the IAF officer before the special aircraft carrying him departed for India, acknowledging his courage and service.

Wing Commander Namansh Syal is survived by his wife, their six-year-old daughter, and his parents.

With inputs from ANI