In Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, an emotionally charged farewell was given to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the Tejas aircraft accident during the Dubai Air Show. His wife, also an Indian Air Force officer, struggled to contain her grief as she offered a final salute while their six-year-old daughter held onto her during the cremation.
read also: IAF Pilot Dies in Tejas Jet Crash During Dubai Airshow Display
His cousin performed the final rites as Air Force personnel, government officials, political leaders and villagers gathered to honour the officer they affectionately called Nammu.
Locals remembered the mid-thirties pilot as an exceptional sportsperson and a devoted serviceman who showed remarkable presence of mind even in his final moments by directing the aircraft away from the crowd.
Wing Commander Syal died on November 21, when the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft crashed during an aerial demonstration. His mortal remains were first brought to the Sulur Air Force Base in Tamil Nadu, where they were received with full ceremonial honours. From there, the body was flown to Gaggal airport in Himachal Pradesh and transported to his native village of Patiyalkar in a flower-adorned Army vehicle accompanied by a convoy of military and civilian cars.
Residents lined the route, chanting patriotic slogans and expressing gratitude for his sacrifice.
When the convoy reached the village, his parents, his wife in her Air Force uniform and their young daughter were seen stepping out of a vehicle, heartbroken by the tragedy.
Jagan Nath Syal, father of the fallen pilot, said the country had lost a rare talent, noting that his son was among the very few aerobatic pilots in India and had been regarded as an exceptional trainee by his instructors.
Namansh met his wife during their initial posting in Pathankot and the two married in 2014.
The funeral was attended by Himachal Pradesh Sports Minister Anil Goma, Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Chairman R S Bali, former Assembly Speaker and BJP leader Vipin Parmar, senior Air Force and Army officers, and district administration officials.
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