A pall of grief descended on Patiyalkar village in Tehsil Nagrota Bagwan of Kangra district on Friday as news spread of Wing Commander Naman Syal’s tragic death in the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show.

The 34-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, known for his sharp skills and adventurous flying spirit, was participating in a demonstration when the mishap occurred.

Wing Commander Syal, who hailed from the Nagrota Bagwan area, is survived by his wife (who is also an officer in the Indian Air Force), their six-year-old daughter and his parents. As the news reached his native village, relatives, neighbours and locals began gathering at his ancestral home with shock and sorrow.

Mehar Chand, a villager, told ANI, “All of us are very sad to know about this accident. People are going

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