The tragic crash of the made-in-India Tejas fighter jet at the recent Dubai Air Show — and the fiery death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal — has brought out expressions of grief and solidarity from pilots belonging to Russia, America, and even Pakistan.
The soul-stirring message from Air Cdre (Retd) Pervez Akhtar Khan of the Pakistan Air Force has gone viral. “A true warrior salutes another warrior — even across enemy lines,” he wrote, and said that he was pained by the “disgraceful reaction” of some Pakistanis “who choose mockery over empathy”.
The Tejas crash itself is under probe, and its impact on Indian military exports is also being analysed threadbare. At the same time, there has been a vulgar display of delight by social network users from Pakistan, who are still smarting from the punishment meted out by Operation Sindoor, undertaken by the Indian military in early May 2025, for the crimes against humanity during the Pahalgam massacre in late April 2025, committed by Pakistani or Pakistan-sponsored terrorists.
Rising above all of this, pilots of several other countries have sent out heartfelt messages on what they see as a human tragedy involving a fellow man.
● Russians pay tribute with ‘The Missing Man Formation’
Pilots from Russia paid a beautiful tribute to Wing Commander Namansh Syal through an aerial manoeuvre. The X handle of the Indian public service broadcaster DD News posted today: “Unforgettable Tribute at Dubai Airshow! In a sombre finale to the #DubaiAirshow2025, the Russian aerobatic team has paid a deeply moving tribute to Wg Cdr Namansh Syal.”
It added: “Describing the moments following the tragic Tejas crash as ‘impossible to describe’, the pilots dedicated their display to the memory of ‘the brothers who did not return from the last flight.’”
The DD News post said: “The formation flown by the team is known as ‘The Missing Man Formation’ — a powerful global symbol of respect and remembrance for fallen aviators. A profound statement of international solidarity and airmanship.”
● American pilot Taylor Hiester pours out his feelings
American pilot Taylor Hiester wrote an Instagram post after the final day of the Dubai Air Show, speaking of his feeling after the Tejas crash. The five-panel Instagram post spoke of the “shocking decision” of the organisers to continue with the air show, and added that “our team along with a few others made the decision to cancel our final performance out of respect to the [Indian] pilot, his colleagues and family”.
Hiester’s post expressed his discomfort at seeing how the show was business as usual despite the crash. “It was uncomfortable for me for a lot of reasons, some of them selfish, imagining my own team walking out of the show site without me, rock and roll playing on the speakers as another act performs,” he wrote.
For Hiester, the Tejas crash and its aftermath at the Dubai Air Show were a lesson in what really mattered in life. His realisation: family, friends, and loyal teammates matter far more than the company one works for, the money made through one’s work, and the people just waiting for the next act, eager to be entertained.
● Pakistani air commodore calls Tejas crash “heartbreaking”
India and Pakistan have had numerous military conflicts and full-blown wars, and the most recent one took place just months ago. But for Air Cdre (Retd) Pervez Akhtar Khan of the Pakistan Air Force, the Tejas crash and the death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal was “heartbreaking”.
In a message that has gone viral on social networks, Khan said: “The news of an Indian Air Force Tejas [jet] crashing during an aerobatic display at the Dubai Air Show is heartbreaking.
“To the Indian Air Force and to the grieving family of the fallen airman: I offer my deepest and sincerest condolences. A pilot is not merely lost — a guardian of the sky is silenced.
“One may question policies, decisions, even doctrines — but never the courage of a fellow aviator doing his duty. He flew not for applause, but for his flag, just as we fly for ours. That deserves honour, not ridicule.
“What pains me further is the disgraceful reaction of a few on our side of the border who choose mockery over empathy.
“A true professional respects another professional. A true warrior salutes another warrior — even across enemy lines.
“May the departed pilot find eternal blue skies beyond turbulence. May his family find strength where words fail. And may we, on both sides, find the maturity to honour courage — not mock its cost.”
