His wife, Afshan, is also an officer in the Indian Air Force and they have a six-year-old daughter.
New Delhi: In an unfortunate incident, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration in Dubai at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday, 21 November 2025, the final day of the Dubai Air Show. The crash resulted in the on-the-spot death of the pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal of the Indian Air Force, as the indigenously developed aircraft exploded into a ball of fire, leaving spectators at the event in a state of shock.
One video has gone viral on social media, reportedly the last video of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, the pilot of the Tejas Fighter Jet.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
India’s Braveheart Pilot of Tejas Fighter Jet Wing Commander Namansh Syal seen here in a video during Dubai Air Show with India’s MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, India’s Envoy to UAE Deepak Mittal and India’s Additional Secretary, Gulf in MEA Aseem Mahajan.
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) November 21, 2025
The video has been posted on X by Aditya Raj Kaul @AdityaRajKaul with the caption: The video has been posted on X by Aditya Raj Kaul @AdityaRajKaul with the caption: “India’s Braveheart Pilot of Tejas Fighter Jet Wing Commander Namansh Syal seen here in a video during Dubai Air Show with India’s MoS Defence Sanjay Seth, India’s Envoy to UAE Deepak Mittal and India’s Additional Secretary, Gulf in MEA Aseem Mahajan. ”
The incident occurred at around 2:10 pm on Friday at Al Maktoum International Airport while the Tejas aircraft was performing a low roll during a demonstration. The fighter jet suddenly lost control and crashed to the ground, causing a loud explosion and billowing black smoke.
Indian Air Force issues statement
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed the incident, expressed deep condolences for the pilot’s death, and ordered an investigation.
The IAF has issued a statement, which says: “An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at Dubai Air Show, today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief. A court of inquiry is being constituted, to ascertain the cause of the accident.
Who was Wing Commander Namansh Syal?
A native of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, Wing Commander Namansh Syal is the son of a retired government school principal, who had previously served in the IAF before joining the state’s Education Department.
His wife, Afshan, is also an officer in the Indian Air Force.
Syal is survived by his elderly parents, wife, and a six-year-old daughter.
