The mortal remains of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the tragic HAL Tejas crash during the Dubai Air Show, were brought to Air Force Station Sulur near Coimbatore on Sunday morning. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at the base, where senior officers and civil authorities paid their final respects.
Wing Commander Syal was serving with No. 45 Squadron, the famed Flying Daggers, based at Air Force Station Sulur—one of the two frontline Indian Air Force squadrons operating the indigenous LCA Tejas.
According to officials, the officer’s mortal remains were first brought to the IAF Hospital in Coimbatore late on Saturday and placed in the mortuary before being moved to the tarmac at Air Force Station Sulur around 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar, Superintendent of Police K. Karthikeyan, senior IAF officers, and personnel from the Flying Daggers Squadron paid homage to the fallen pilot. The ceremony reflected the Air Force’s deep respect for the officer’s service, professionalism, and sacrifice.
After the tribute, the mortal remains were flown to Himachal Pradesh, Wing Commander Syal’s home state, where the last rites will be conducted with full military honours.
The tragedy has cast a shadow over the aviation community, with tributes pouring in from across the country as the IAF mourns the loss of one of its finest fighter pilots.
