Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu expresses grief over death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal in Tejas crash

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday expressed grief over the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal who was killed in the Tejas fighter jet crash during the Dubai Air Show earlier today.

"The news of the demise of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district's brave son Namansh Syal Ji in the Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show is extremely heartbreaking and heart-rending. The nation has lost a brave, dutiful, and courageous pilot. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family members," he wrote on the X page of CMO Himachal.

The Indian Air Force HAL Tejas fighter jet went down during a flying display at the Dubai Airshow on Sunday afternoon, Associated Press reported. The aircraft crashed at around 2:10 p.m. local time while performing for spectators.

Thick black smoke was seen rising from the crash site at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai World Central, and emergency sirens were heard moments later as responders moved in.

The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident shortly after, stating, "An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Indian Air Force 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."

The Tejas is a lightweight, single-engine, 4.5-generation multirole fighter featuring a delta-wing configuration. Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the jet was developed for the Indian Air Force’s modern combat requirements.

Tejas first took to the skies in 2001 and officially entered IAF service in 2015. Its first fully operational squadron became active the following year.