Wing Commander Namansh Sayal, the Indian Air Force pilot who died when his Tejas fighter aircraft crashed during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Air Show on Friday, was a native of Patiyalkar village in Nagrota Bangwan, Kangra district. The 37-year-old officer’s tragic death has plunged his ancestral village and the entire state into mourning.
Namansh, son of retired headmaster Jagannath, had been serving the Indian Air Force for the past 16 years and was currently stationed in Coimbatore. He had been participating in the Dubai Air Show for six days, with Friday marking the final day of the event. The crash occurred at approximately 2:10 pm local time as the Tejas aircraft was performing low-altitude maneuvers.
Family in shock, village mourns its son
Namansh’s father Jagannath said his son had dedicated 16 years to the Indian Air Force. His wife Afsana also serves in the IAF as a ground officer. The couple has a 10-year-old daughter. The mortal remains are expected to reach home on Monday or Tuesday after completing formalities in Dubai. The last rites will be performed at our ancestral village,” Jagannath said.
The fatal crash
Eyewitnesses at the Dubai Air Show reported that the Tejas had been flying for approximately eight to nine minutes and had completed two to three loops when the accident occurred. The aircraft was performing at low altitude during the aerobatic display when it suddenly transformed into a fireball, leaving spectators stunned.
Jignesh Varia, who was attending the air show with his family, described the horrifying moment: “The fighter jet had been flying for about eight-nine minutes. It made two-three rounds, and then suddenly the accident happened. Tejas was flying at low altitude at that time. In moments, it turned into a ball of fire.”
The crash sent up plumes of black smoke over the airport, causing panic among spectators. However, UAE fire and emergency teams responded swiftly to control the situation. The air show resumed approximately two hours after the incident.
16 years of distinguished service
Wing Commander Namansh Sayal’s career in the Indian Air Force spanned 16 years of dedicated service to the nation. His deployment to represent India at the prestigious Dubai Air Show reflected his exceptional skills as a pilot. The video of the crash has gone viral across the internet, with many now learning that the martyred officer hailed from Himachal Pradesh.
The Indian Air Force has ordered the constitution of a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of the accident. The loss of Wing Commander Sayal is not just a personal tragedy for his family but a loss for the entire state and the nation he served with distinction.
As Himachal Pradesh mourns one of its brave sons, the focus now turns to bringing him home for his final journey, where he will receive the honor and respect befitting a officer who made the ultimate sacrifice while proudly representing India on an international platform.
