Flying OfficerNirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (17 July 1945 – 14 December 1971) was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration during war time, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[2] He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.[3]
Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft
Flying Officer Sekhon's remains as well as the exact location of the crash site of his aircraft are still unknown.
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon in a colorized photograph of the No. 18 Squadron IAF just a few months before the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is sitting in the 2nd row from the bottom, 4th from the right.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the No.18 Squadron, "The Flying Bullets" of IAF, flying the Folland Gnatfighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 Decembers 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air ForceF-86 jets of 26 Squadron from PAF Base Peshawar. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. As soon as the first aircraft attacked, Sekhon rolled for take-off as No 2 in a two-Gnat formation, with Flt. Lt. Ghumman in lead, just as the first bombs were falling on the runway. Only delayed due to dust kicked up by the preceding Gnat, Sekhon lost no time in singling out the first Sabre pair, which was re-forming after the bombing run. The Gnat Leader, Flt. Lt. Ghumman lost visual with his wingman just after take-off, remained out of the fight leaving Sekhon to handle the muddle all by himself. In the ensuing air battle, Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze. The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke. However Pakistani records deny any aircraft losses to Sekhon.[7]
Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader Virendera Singh Pathania.[8] He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted and plummeting down, probably due failure of control system. He attempted a last-minute ejection, which did not prove successful, as his canopy was seen to fly off. The wreckage of the Gnat was found in a gorge near the road coming from Srinagar town to the base, a few miles from the base. Despite many efforts by Army and Air Force, his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain where his fighter went down.
A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre Kaiser Tufail.[9] His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.[10] The bravery, flying skill and determination displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon, against odds of 1:6, earned him India's highest wartime medal for gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks. From the very outbreak of the hostilities he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination, maintaining the high reputation of the Gnat aircraft. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of enemy Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time. Immediately, however, no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead, and they began bombing and strafing the airfield. In spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during the attack, Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensued, he secured hits on one aircraft and damaged another. By this time the other Sabre aircraft came to the aid of their hard-pressed companions and Flying Officer Sekhon's Gnat was again outnumbered, this time by four to one.
Even though alone, Flying Officer Sekhon engaged the enemy in an unequal combat. In the fight that followed, at treetop height, he almost held his own, but was eventually overcome by the sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft was shot down by a gunfire of one of the Sabres and he was killed.
The sublime heroism, supreme gallantry, flying skill and determination above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon in the face of certain death have set new heights in Air Force traditions.[11]
HonoursEdit
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in Punjab.
A marine tanker built in 1985 was named Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC.
A statue in tribute of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was erected at the district court of Ludhiana (first erected at Samrala Chowk, Ludhiana) in the courtyard next to the flag pole. A decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter is part of the memorial and serves as a gate guardian.
His statue along with a decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter has been placed in the Indian Air Force Museum, Palam.
Air Marshal BR Krishna unveiled Sekhon's bust in 2021 at Govt. Senior Sec. School, Issewal in Ludhiana, his birthplace.[12]
ReferencesEdit
^ abVasdev, Kanchan (30 January 2003). . The Tribune (Chandigarh). Archived from the original on 1 March 2004. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
^"Batchmates remember of IAF's lone Param Vir Chakra awardee recall his valour". The Indian Express. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
^. Hindustan Times. 27 July 2012. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
^"Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950". The Times of India. Indiatimes News Network. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
^"The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories". Tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
^"Stories of Gallantry Award | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
^"Baig's Accounts of the 1971 war". Defence Journal.
^"Indian Air Force Day 2020 : Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon". Mind Stick. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
^"A Hard Nut to Crack". kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
^Baig, Salim (September 2000). "Air Battles December 1971-My Experience". Defencejournal.com. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
^Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardee: Fg Offr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, PVC, The War Decorated India & Trust, retrieved 1 September 2014
^"Bust of Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Sekhon PVC unveiled, IAF holds airshow". Retrieved 14 September 2021.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's citation of the Param Vir Chakra at Bharat-Rakshak.com.
YouTube Video by Headlines today which, at 13:31, shows animated account of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's PVC Action.
October 13, 2023
nirmal, singh, sekhon, flying, officer, july, 1945, december, 1971, officer, indian, force, posthumously, awarded, param, chakra, india, highest, military, decoration, during, time, recognition, lone, defence, srinagar, base, against, pakistan, force, raid, du. Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC 17 July 1945 14 December 1971 was an officer of the Indian Air Force He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra India s highest military decoration during war time in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force PAF air raid during the Indo Pakistani War of 1971 2 He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC 3 Flying OfficerNirmal Jit Singh SekhonPVCBorn 1945 07 17 17 July 1945Ludhiana Punjab British India 1 now in Punjab India Died14 December 1971 1971 12 14 aged 26 Srinagar Jammu and Kashmir IndiaAllegianceRepublic of IndiaService wbr branch Indian Air ForceYears of service1967 1971RankFlying OfficerUnitNo 18 SquadronBattles warsIndo Pakistani War of 1971AwardsParam Vir Chakra posthumous Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraftFlying Officer Sekhon s remains as well as the exact location of the crash site of his aircraft are still unknown Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon in a colorized photograph of the No 18 Squadron IAF just a few months before the Indo Pakistani War of 1971 He is sitting in the 2nd row from the bottom 4th from the right Contents 1 Early life 2 Param Vir Chakra Award 3 Citation 4 Honours 5 Statues and a bust 6 References 7 External linksEarly life EditNirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a Sikh Jat family on 17 July 1943 4 in the village of Isewal Ludhiana Punjab Province British India 1 His father was M W O Tarlok Singh Sekhon 5 and his mother was Harbans Kaur 6 He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1967 as a Pilot Officer Param Vir Chakra Award EditDuring the Indo Pakistani War of 1971 he was serving with the No 18 Squadron The Flying Bullets of IAF flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar On 14 Decembers 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F 86 jets of 26 Squadron from PAF Base Peshawar Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time As soon as the first aircraft attacked Sekhon rolled for take off as No 2 in a two Gnat formation with Flt Lt Ghumman in lead just as the first bombs were falling on the runway Only delayed due to dust kicked up by the preceding Gnat Sekhon lost no time in singling out the first Sabre pair which was re forming after the bombing run The Gnat Leader Flt Lt Ghumman lost visual with his wingman just after take off remained out of the fight leaving Sekhon to handle the muddle all by himself In the ensuing air battle Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri trailing smoke However Pakistani records deny any aircraft losses to Sekhon 7 Sekhon after being hit was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader Virendera Singh Pathania 8 He is said to have flown in straight wings level for some time then going inverted and plummeting down probably due failure of control system He attempted a last minute ejection which did not prove successful as his canopy was seen to fly off The wreckage of the Gnat was found in a gorge near the road coming from Srinagar town to the base a few miles from the base Despite many efforts by Army and Air Force his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain where his fighter went down A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre Kaiser Tufail 9 His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza the pilot who shot him down 10 The bravery flying skill and determination displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon against odds of 1 6 earned him India s highest wartime medal for gallantry the Param Vir Chakra Citation EditThe Param Vir Chakra citation reads as follows CITATIONFG OFFR NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON 18 SQUADRON 10877 F P Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment based at Srinagar for the air defence of the valley against Pakistani air attacks From the very outbreak of the hostilities he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination maintaining the high reputation of the Gnat aircraft On 14 December 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked by a wave of enemy Sabre aircraft Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time Immediately however no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead and they began bombing and strafing the airfield In spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during the attack Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres In the fight that ensued he secured hits on one aircraft and damaged another By this time the other Sabre aircraft came to the aid of their hard pressed companions and Flying Officer Sekhon s Gnat was again outnumbered this time by four to one Even though alone Flying Officer Sekhon engaged the enemy in an unequal combat In the fight that followed at treetop height he almost held his own but was eventually overcome by the sheer weight of numbers His aircraft was shot down by a gunfire of one of the Sabres and he was killed The sublime heroism supreme gallantry flying skill and determination above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon in the face of certain death have set new heights in Air Force traditions 11 Honours EditNirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in Punjab A marine tanker built in 1985 was named Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC Statues and a bust Edit nbsp Sekhon s statue at Param Yodha Sthal National War Memorial New DelhiA statue in tribute of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was erected at the district court of Ludhiana first erected at Samrala Chowk Ludhiana in the courtyard next to the flag pole A decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter is part of the memorial and serves as a gate guardian His statue along with a decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter has been placed in the Indian Air Force Museum Palam Air Marshal BR Krishna unveiled Sekhon s bust in 2021 at Govt Senior Sec School Issewal in Ludhiana his birthplace 12 References Edit a b Vasdev Kanchan 30 January 2003 Sekhon s hamlet to be adarsh village The Tribune Chandigarh Archived from the original on 1 March 2004 Retrieved 11 April 2016 Batchmates remember of IAF s lone Param Vir Chakra awardee recall his valour The Indian Express 5 June 2017 Retrieved 11 June 2020 IAF scales 3 virgin peaks in Ladakh region Hindustan Times 27 July 2012 Archived from the original on 13 March 2014 Retrieved 27 July 2012 Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950 The Times of India Indiatimes News Network 25 January 2008 Archived from the original on 18 October 2016 Retrieved 14 November 2016 The Tribune Chandigarh India Ludhiana Stories Tribuneindia com Retrieved 27 July 2012 Stories of Gallantry Award Indian Air Force Government of India indianairforce nic in Baig s Accounts of the 1971 war Defence Journal Indian Air Force Day 2020 Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon Mind Stick Retrieved 10 August 2020 A Hard Nut to Crack kaiser aeronaut blogspot com 21 November 2008 Retrieved 2 February 2014 Baig Salim September 2000 Air Battles December 1971 My Experience Defencejournal com Retrieved 27 July 2012 Param Vir Chakra PVC Awardee Fg Offr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon PVC The War Decorated India amp Trust retrieved 1 September 2014 Bust of Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Sekhon PVC unveiled IAF holds airshow Retrieved 14 September 2021 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon s citation of the Param Vir Chakra at Bharat Rakshak com File Photo of Marine Tanker Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Shekhon PVC A tribute on Bharat Rakshak A tribute to Nirmal Jit At Sikh History Profile of Sekhon on Tribune India Jai Hind Jai Bharat 1 YouTube Video by Headlines today which at 13 31 shows animated account of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon s PVC Action Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon amp oldid 1176818854, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
