IAF Personnel Pay Last Respects As Tejas Pilot’s Body Arrives In Coimbatore

The Indian Air Force paid an emotional farewell to Wing Commander Naman Syal at Sulur Air Force Station in Coimbatore, after his body arrived from Dubai following the tragic Tejas fighter jet crash at the international air show.

The solemn ceremony, held with full military honours, marked a heartbreaking moment for the IAF community, colleagues, and district officials.

Coimbatore District Collector Pavan Kumar and Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan laid wreaths on behalf of the district administration.

IAF personnel, many of whom had served closely with Wing Commander Syal, offered floral tributes in a deeply moving ceremony.

Wing Commander Syal, 37, hailed from Himachal Pradesh and served as a senior officer at the Sulur base.

He had flown the indigenous Tejas Mk-1 Light Combat Aircraft from Sulur to Dubai to participate in India’s aerobatic showcase at the global aviation event, which featured leading aerospace companies and delegations from across the world.

A Dedicated Officer and Family Man

Colleagues widely respected Syal—who had served in the Air Force for more than a decade—for his discipline, commitment, and exceptional flying skills.

Colleagues described him as a thorough professional and a warm, humble individual who embodied the spirit of the IAF.

He lived at the Sulur Air Force quarters with his wife—an officer in the Air Force—and their seven-year-old daughter.

The sudden loss has devastated the family, with colleagues recalling him as a devoted husband, a loving father, and an officer who always led by example.

He had also been pursuing advanced studies in aviation and defence systems as part of his ongoing career progression.

After the wreath-laying ceremony and military honours at Sulur, officials flew the mortal remains to his native village in Himachal Pradesh for the final rites, where the community is preparing to bid farewell to their beloved son.

However, Senior IAF officials have ordered a detailed Court of Inquiry to determine the precise cause of the crash.

Also, the Tejas Mk-1 was scheduled to perform multiple aerial demonstrations to showcase the capabilities of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft.

The tragic death of Wing Commander Naman Syal has cast a shadow of grief across the Air Force and the nation. India mourns the loss of a courageous pilot who dedicated his life to serving the country from the skies.

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