Commander Nishant Singh, the Indian Navy pilot killed in a MiG-29K crash off Goa on November 26, was laid to rest with full military honours. The crash occurred while Singh was flying a trainer aircraft alongside a younger pilot when a technical fault forced both to eject. While the trainee pilot was rescued, Singh remained missing for 11 days despite a massive search operation. His body, along with the wreckage, was finally located using side-scan sonar and HD cameras.
A qualified flying instructor and an ace fighter pilot, Commander Singh had extensive experience with the Kiran, Hawk, and MiG-29K aircraft. He had also undergone advanced strike training with the US Navy. The Navy mourned the loss of one of its most accomplished aviators. Singh, the son of a naval officer, was also a skilled mountaineer and yachtsman. His wife, Nayaab Randhawa, received his tricolour and uniform during the ceremonial farewell.