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Tributes Pour In for Fallen Indian Pilot
23 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Russian aerobatic team performed a 'Missing Man' maneuver.
- Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Namansh Syal died.
- The fatal crash occurred during the Dubai Air Show.
An Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal, lost his life when his Tejas fighter jet crashed during a demonstration at the Dubai Air Show. The 'Missing Man' maneuver was executed by the Russian Knights aerobatic team as a tribute to the fallen pilot. Videos shared on social media depicted the team's profound sorrow over the incident, dedicating their final display to fallen aviators.
Adding to the somber atmosphere, a US aerobatic pilot noted that his team bowed out of their final performance out of respect for Syal. Spectators were reportedly in shock as the Tejas jet nosedived, causing a large plume of smoke and fire. Syal's dedication and professionalism were widely acknowledged by the Indian Air Force.
Wing Commander Syal was cremated with full military honors in his ancestral village in Himachal Pradesh. This unfortunate event is the second accident involving a Tejas aircraft within the last two years, highlighting concerns about the indigenous fighter jet's safety record.
