IAF Tejas crash: Pilot’s father learnt about son’s death through YouTube while watching Dubai Air Show coverage
PTC Web Desk: The father of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the Tejas fighter jet crash during the Dubai Air Show, found out about his son’s death through YouTube reports. The Indian Air Force pilot was performing at the international aviation event when the aircraft crashed and went up in flames on Thursday. The IAF later officially confirmed the tragic loss.
According to a report by The Indian Express, Namansh’s father, Jagan Nath Syal, a retired school principal from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, was searching online for videos of the Tejas display as his son had asked him to watch his performance. While scrolling through YouTube, he suddenly saw news clips reporting the crash.
Shocked, he immediately contacted his daughter-in-law, also serving as a Wing Commander, to verify the information. Shortly after, Air Force officials reached his residence and it became clear that the family was facing the unimaginable.
The officers informed the family that repatriating the pilot’s mortal remains would take time, estimating a wait of at least two days.
Remembering his son, the grieving father said Namansh was brilliant, ambitious and deeply committed to the armed forces. The 34-year-old studied at Army Public School and Sainik School in Himachal Pradesh before clearing the NDA entrance examination in 2009, fulfilling his dream of joining the Indian military.
At the time of the accident, Namansh’s wife, also an IAF officer, was undergoing training in Kolkata. His parents had recently travelled to Coimbatore to help care for the couple’s seven-year-old daughter, Aarya. Family members said his mother was too devastated to speak.
Relatives and villagers in Patial Kad, Kangra, expressed deep sorrow, saying the community has lost a proud and inspiring son.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also offered condolences, calling the pilot “Kangra’s brave son” and praising his service, courage and commitment to the nation. Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa is coordinating with authorities and remains in touch with the family.
- With inputs from agencies
