Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

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Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on July 17^th , 1943 in village Rurka in Ludhiana District of Punjab. He was the son of Warrant Officer Hon. Flight Lieutenant Trilok Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 4^th , 1967 as a Flying Officer.

During the 1971 Indo-pak war Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was assigned to the 18 Squadron “The Flying Bullets”. He was flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft, which was based at Srinagar.

On 14th December 1971, Pakistani attacked the Srinagar airfield with six F-86 jets.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was on readiness duty that time. Soon the enemy aircraft attacked the airfield, strafing ground targets. Under heavy fire, Sekhon was able to take off in his Gnat and engage the enemy Jets. He scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze. The second jet was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke. The remaining four Sabres pressed the attack.  After a long treetop level dogfight, They shot down Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon’s aircraft and he was killed. The remaining enemy aircraft returned to Pakistan without pressing the attack.

Determination, bravery and brilliant flying skills  displayed by Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon earned him the highest wartime  gallantry award, , the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.

CITATION

Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC Citation