Kangra bids tearful farewell to Wing Commander Namansh Syal

Kangra bid a tearful farewell to Wing Commander Namansh Syal, who lost his life in the LCA Tejas crash during the Dubai Air Show. His mortal remains arrived this afternoon at Kangra Airport from Sulur Air Base, Coimbatore.

His wife, an officer in the IAF, and their young daughter stood brave but heartbroken as the tricolour-draped coffin was received.

From the airport, the mortal remains were taken to his native village, Patialkhad near Yol, where the last rites were performed with full military honours. Hundreds of residents thronged the route, chanting “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” their voices echoing through the valley in a moving tribute to the fallen hero. The atmosphere was heavy with grief as the martyr’s mother clung to the coffin of her only son, inconsolable in her loss. In a moment that left everyone humbled, his wife, wearing her uniform, offered a final salute to her husband, a gesture symbolising both love and unwavering service to the nation.

Minister for AYUSH, Youth Services and Sports Yadwinder Goma laid a wreath on behalf of the Himachal Pradesh government, calling the loss “unbearable for both the state and the country.” He assured the grieving family of the government’s unwavering support. Former Speaker and Sulah MLA Vipin Singh Parmar described Wing Commander Syal as an exceptionally skilled pilot whose demise is “a great setback to the nation.”

Nagrota Bagwan MLA Raghubir Singh Bali, Shahpur MLA and Vidhan Sabha Chief Whip Kewal Pathania, along with the Deputy Commissioner and senior military and civil officers were present to pay homage. Civil officials, senior military officers and a large number of ex-servicemen also gathered to pay their respects.