A video of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who tragically died when the Tejas LCA Mk-1 crashed during an aerial display at the Dubai Airshow on Friday, has surfaced. The video shows him at the event at the event with other dignitaries before the mishap. The IAF Tejas aircraft had met with an accident during the demonstration on November 21, resulting in fatal injuries to the pilot. A court of inquiry has been constituted to ascertain the cause of the crash.
What's in the video?
In the video, Syal is seen standing alongside Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth, India's Envoy to the UAE, Deepak Mittal, and Additional Secretary (Gulf) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Aseem R Mahajan. The clip, widely shared on social media captures the late Wing Commander pilot smiling and posing for photographs with his colleagues, Indian ministers, and other dignitaries from the UAE. The 34-year-old pilot was known for his sharp skills and adventurous flying spirit. It is still unclear exactly when the video was recorded during the airshow, which started on November 17 and concluded on November 21.
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Defence Minister expresses condolences
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences on X, saying, “Deeply anguished at the loss of a brave and courageous IAF pilot during an aerial display in Dubai Air Show. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. The nation stands firmly with the family in this tragic hour.” Meanwhile, a pall of grief has descended at his native place on Patiyalkar village in Tehsil Nagrota Bagwan of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. Wing Commander Syal is survived by his wife (who is also an officer in the Indian Air Force), their six-year-old daughter and his parents.
Also Read: Tejas the Fireball: Dubai Tragedy Hits India’s Fighter Jet Dream