Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

Paramvir Chakra is the highest medal for bravery of Indian Military. Since 1947, Indian defense forces have participated in various campaigns all around India and the world. India fought three wars with Pakistan in 1948, 1965 and in 1971 and one war with China in 1962.

Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon was born on 17 July 1945 at Rurka Isewal village in Ludhiana District in the house of Sardar Trilok Singh Sekhon, a retired flight lieutenant of Indian Air Force. As any normal Sikh child, he was raised with the assets of courage and sacrifice by his parents. He joined Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer in 1968.

In December 1971, Pakistan attacked at fourteen air fields all across North India to preempt the Indian Air Force. At this time Nirmaljit Singh was posted at the forward base in Kashmir with the squadron named Flying Bullets. His plane was outdated. Their airfield was attacked on 14th December 1971, and the only available pilot at this time at Srinagar Base was Nirmaljit Singh. Flying from Srinagar on Dec 14th, Sekhon single handedly took on all six Pakistan Air Force Sabres. Although eventually overwhelmed, he managed to score confirmed hits on two of them, and damage on the rest of them. Once the Pakistan Sabres ran away he managed to land his plane just before his death, which was due to bullets piercing through his body. Param Vir Chakra (India’s highest gallantry award) was posthumously (awarded after death) given to Flag Officer N.J.S. Sekhon.