Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 19 December 2022
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	{{Short description\|Recipient of Param Vir Chakra}}		{{Short description\|Recipient of Param Vir Chakra}}
	{{EngvarB\|date=September ~~2022~~}}		{{EngvarB\|date=September 2014}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=November ~~2022~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2018}}
	{{Infobox military person		{{Infobox military person
	\| honorific_prefix = [[Flying Officer]]		\| honorific_prefix = [[Flying Officer]]
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	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1945\|7\|17}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|df=yes\|1945\|7\|17}}
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|1971\|12\|14\|1945\|7\|17}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|df=yes\|1971\|12\|14\|1945\|7\|17}}
	\| birth_place = [[Ludhiana district\|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab]], [[British Raj\|British India]]<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh">{{cite news\|last1=Vasdev\|first1=Kanchan\|title=Sekhon's hamlet to be 'adarsh village'\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm\|access-date=11 April 2016\|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]]\|date=30 January 2003\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040301172120/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm\|archive-date=1 March ~~2022~~}}</ref><br/>(now in [[Punjab, India\|Punjab]], [[India]])		\| birth_place = [[Ludhiana district\|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab]], [[British Raj\|British India]]<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh">{{cite news\|last1=Vasdev\|first1=Kanchan\|title=Sekhon's hamlet to be 'adarsh village'\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm\|access-date=11 April 2016\|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]]\|date=30 January 2003\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040301172120/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm\|archive-date=1 March 2004}}</ref><br/>(now in [[Punjab, India\|Punjab]], [[India]])
	\| death_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)\|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]		\| death_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)\|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
	\| image = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon 2000 stamp of India.jpg		\| image = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon 2000 stamp of India.jpg
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	}}		}}

	[[Flying Officer]] '''Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon''', [[Param Vir Chakra\|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]].<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2017-06-05\|title=Batchmates remember of IAF's lone Param Vir Chakra awardee recall his valour\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/batch-mates-of-iaf-lone-param-vir-chakra-awardee-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon-recall-his-valour-on-50th-anniversary-of-passing-out-4688184/\|access-date=2020-06-11\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref> He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313012301/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=13 March 2014 \|title=IAF scales 3 virgin peaks in Ladakh region \|publisher=Hindustan Times \|date= 27 July 2012\|access-date=27 July ~~2022~~}}</ref>		[[Flying Officer]] '''Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon''', [[Param Vir Chakra\|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]].<ref>{{Cite web\|date=2017-06-05\|title=Batchmates remember of IAF's lone Param Vir Chakra awardee recall his valour\|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/batch-mates-of-iaf-lone-param-vir-chakra-awardee-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon-recall-his-valour-on-50th-anniversary-of-passing-out-4688184/\|access-date=2020-06-11\|website=The Indian Express\|language=en}}</ref> He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313012301/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx \|url-status=dead \|archive-date=13 March 2014 \|title=IAF scales 3 virgin peaks in Ladakh region \|publisher=Hindustan Times \|date= 27 July 2012\|access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref>

	[[File:Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft, 10 sep 2013.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft]]		[[File:Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft, 10 sep 2013.jpg\|thumb\|Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft]]
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	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a [[Jat Sikh\|Sikh Jat]] family on 17 July 1943<ref>{{cite news \|title=Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950 \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms \|access-date=14 November 2016 \|work=[[The Times of India]] \|agency=Indiatimes News Network \|date=25 January 2008 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161018224154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms \|archive-date=18 October 2016 \|url-status=live}}</ref> in the village of [[Isewal]], [[Ludhiana district\|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj\|British India]].<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh"/> His father was [[Master warrant officer\|M.W.O.]] Tarlok Singh Sekhon<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030131/ldh1.htm \|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories \|publisher=Tribuneindia.com \|access-date=27 July ~~2022~~}}</ref> and his mother was Harbans Kaur.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/stories-gallantry-award\|title=Stories of Gallantry Award \| Indian Air Force \| Government of India\|website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> He was commissioned into the [[Indian Air Force]] on 4 June 1967 as a [[Pilot Officer]].		Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a [[Jat Sikh\|Sikh Jat]] family on 17 July 1943<ref>{{cite news \|title=Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950 \|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms \|access-date=14 November 2016 \|work=[[The Times of India]] \|agency=Indiatimes News Network \|date=25 January 2008 \|archive-url=https://archive.today/20161018224154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms \|archive-date=18 October 2016 \|url-status=live}}</ref> in the village of [[Isewal]], [[Ludhiana district\|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)\|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj\|British India]].<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh"/> His father was [[Master warrant officer\|M.W.O.]] Tarlok Singh Sekhon<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030131/ldh1.htm \|title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories \|publisher=Tribuneindia.com \|access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> and his mother was Harbans Kaur.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/stories-gallantry-award\|title=Stories of Gallantry Award \| Indian Air Force \| Government of India\|website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> He was commissioned into the [[Indian Air Force]] on 4 June 1967 as a [[Pilot Officer]].

	==Param Vir Chakra Award==		==Param Vir Chakra Award==
	During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the [[No. 18 Squadron IAF\|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 Sabre\|F-86]] jets of [[No. 26 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)\|26 Squadron]] from [[Peshawar Airport\|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.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://defencejournal.com/2020/12/10/baigs-tryst-with-destiny/\|title=Baig's Accounts of the 1971 war\|website=Defence Journal}}</ref> A native of Rurka Issewal village in Dakha, had sacrificed his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.<ref>{{Cite news\|last=Indian Defence News\|first=The Indian Hawk\|date=16 December 2020\|title=Tributes paid to sole PVC recipient from Air Force\|work=[[The Indian Hawk]]\|url=https://www.theindianhawk.com/2020/12/tributes-paid-to-sole-pvc-recipient-from-air-force.html\|access-date=16 December ~~2022~~}}</ref>		During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the [[No. 18 Squadron IAF\|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 Sabre\|F-86]] jets of [[No. 26 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)\|26 Squadron]] from [[Peshawar Airport\|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.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://defencejournal.com/2020/12/10/baigs-tryst-with-destiny/\|title=Baig's Accounts of the 1971 war\|website=Defence Journal}}</ref> A native of Rurka Issewal village in Dakha, had sacrificed his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.<ref>{{Cite news\|last=Indian Defence News\|first=The Indian Hawk\|date=16 December 2020\|title=Tributes paid to sole PVC recipient from Air Force\|work=[[The Indian Hawk]]\|url=https://www.theindianhawk.com/2020/12/tributes-paid-to-sole-pvc-recipient-from-air-force.html\|access-date=16 December 2020}}</ref>

	Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader [[Virendera Singh Pathania]] [[VrC]], [[Vayu Sena Medal\|VM]].<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Indian Air Force Day 2020 : Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon\|url=https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/82005/indian-air-force-day-2020-story-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon\|publisher=Mind Stick\|access-date=10 August ~~2022~~}}</ref> He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, 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 search efforts by Army and Air Force, his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain of where his fighter went down, much to the disappointment of his wife and family.		Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader [[Virendera Singh Pathania]] [[VrC]], [[Vayu Sena Medal\|VM]].<ref>{{Cite web\|title=Indian Air Force Day 2020 : Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon\|url=https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/82005/indian-air-force-day-2020-story-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon\|publisher=Mind Stick\|access-date=10 August 2020}}</ref> He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, 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 search efforts by Army and Air Force, his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain of where his fighter went down, much to the disappointment of his wife and family.

	A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre [[Kaiser Tufail]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2008/11/hard-nut-to-crack.html\|title=A Hard Nut to Crack \|date=21 November 2008 \|publisher=kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/ \|access-date=2 February ~~2022~~}}</ref> His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/air-battles.htm \|title=Air Battles December 1971-My Experience \|publisher=Defencejournal.com \|date=September 2000\|access-date=27 July 2012\|author=Baig, Salim }}</ref>		A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre [[Kaiser Tufail]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2008/11/hard-nut-to-crack.html\|title=A Hard Nut to Crack \|date=21 November 2008 \|publisher=kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/ \|access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/air-battles.htm \|title=Air Battles December 1971-My Experience \|publisher=Defencejournal.com \|date=September 2000\|access-date=27 July 2012\|author=Baig, Salim }}</ref>
	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.		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.

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{{Short description|Recipient of Param Vir Chakra}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Flying Officer]]
| name = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon
| honorific_suffix = [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|7|17}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1971|12|14|1945|7|17}}
| birth_place = [[Ludhiana district|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]]<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh">{{cite news|last1=Vasdev|first1=Kanchan|title=Sekhon's hamlet to be 'adarsh village'|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm|access-date=11 April 2016|work=[[The Tribune (Chandigarh)]]|date=30 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040301172120/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030130/ldh1.htm|archive-date=1 March 2022}}</ref><br/>(now in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[India]])
| death_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| image = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon 2000 stamp of India.jpg
| image_size = 250 px
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| branch = {{air force|India}}
| serviceyears = 1967–1971
| rank = [[File:Flying Officer of IAF.png|32px]] [[Flying Officer]]
| unit = [[No. 18 Squadron IAF|No. 18 Squadron]]
| battles = [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| awards = [[Image:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]] (posthumous)
}}

[[Flying Officer]] '''Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon''', [[Param Vir Chakra|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]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-06-05|title=Batchmates remember of IAF's lone Param Vir Chakra awardee recall his valour|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/batch-mates-of-iaf-lone-param-vir-chakra-awardee-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon-recall-his-valour-on-50th-anniversary-of-passing-out-4688184/|access-date=2020-06-11|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313012301/http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NewDelhi/IAF-scales-3-virgin-peaks-in-Ladakh-region/Article1-902882.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 March 2014 |title=IAF scales 3 virgin peaks in Ladakh region |publisher=Hindustan Times |date= 27 July 2012|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref>

[[File:Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft, 10 sep 2013.jpg|thumb|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.

[[File:No. 18 Squadron IAF, a few before the India-Pakistan War of 1971. Colorized.jpg|thumb|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 Right.]]

==Early life==
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a [[Jat Sikh|Sikh Jat]] family on 17 July 1943<ref>{{cite news |title=Param Vir Chakra winners since 1950 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms |access-date=14 November 2016 |work=[[The Times of India]] |agency=Indiatimes News Network |date=25 January 2008 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161018224154/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Param-Vir-Chakra-winners-since-1950/articleshow/2731710.cms |archive-date=18 October 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> in the village of [[Isewal]], [[Ludhiana district|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj|British India]].<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh"/> His father was [[Master warrant officer|M.W.O.]] Tarlok Singh Sekhon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030131/ldh1.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories |publisher=Tribuneindia.com |access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> and his mother was Harbans Kaur.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianairforce.nic.in/content/stories-gallantry-award|title=Stories of Gallantry Award | Indian Air Force | Government of India|website=indianairforce.nic.in}}</ref> He was commissioned into the [[Indian Air Force]] on 4 June 1967 as a [[Pilot Officer]].

==Param Vir Chakra Award==
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the [[No. 18 Squadron IAF|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 Sabre|F-86]] jets of [[No. 26 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|26 Squadron]] from [[Peshawar Airport|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://defencejournal.com/2020/12/10/baigs-tryst-with-destiny/|title=Baig's Accounts of the 1971 war|website=Defence Journal}}</ref> A native of Rurka Issewal village in Dakha, had sacrificed his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Indian Defence News|first=The Indian Hawk|date=16 December 2020|title=Tributes paid to sole PVC recipient from Air Force|work=[[The Indian Hawk]]|url=https://www.theindianhawk.com/2020/12/tributes-paid-to-sole-pvc-recipient-from-air-force.html|access-date=16 December 2022}}</ref>

Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader [[Virendera Singh Pathania]] [[VrC]], [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Indian Air Force Day 2020 : Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon|url=https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/82005/indian-air-force-day-2020-story-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon|publisher=Mind Stick|access-date=10 August 2022}}</ref> He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, 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 search efforts by Army and Air Force, his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain of where his fighter went down, much to the disappointment of his wife and family.

A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cdre [[Kaiser Tufail]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/2008/11/hard-nut-to-crack.html|title=A Hard Nut to Crack |date=21 November 2008 |publisher=kaiser-aeronaut.blogspot.com/ |access-date=2 February 2022}}</ref> His skill was later also praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/air-battles.htm |title=Air Battles December 1971-My Experience |publisher=Defencejournal.com |date=September 2000|access-date=27 July 2012|author=Baig, Salim }}</ref>
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 ==
The [[Param Vir Chakra]] citation reads as follows:
{{Quotation|{{center|'''CITATION '''<br>
'''FG OFFR NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON'''<br>
'''18 SQUADRON 10877 F(P)'''<br>}}

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.<ref name=PVC>{{citation|url=http://twdi.in/node/1073|access-date=1 September 2014|title=Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardee: Fg Offr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, PVC |publisher=The War Decorated India & Trust}}</ref>}}

==Honours==
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''.

==Legacy and depictions in popular culture==
[[File:N J Sekhon statue at Param Yodha Sthal Delhi.jpg|250px|thumb|Sekhon's statue at ''Param Yodha Sthal'', [[National War Memorial (India)|National War Memorial]], New Delhi]]
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.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bust of Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Sekhon PVC unveiled, IAF holds airshow|url=https://www.indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/bust-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jeet-sekhon-pvc-unveiled-iaf-holds-airshow/lite/?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#aoh=16316902966854&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Findianexpress.com%2Fphotos%2Findia-news%2Fbust-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jeet-sekhon-pvc-unveiled-iaf-holds-airshow%2F|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon}}
* [http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/awards/war/301-pvc.html Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's citation of the Param Vir Chakra at Bharat-Rakshak.com.]
* [http://samariaf0.tripod.com/other455.html File Photo of Marine Tanker Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Shekhon, PVC]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051125091755/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/HEROISM/Sekhon.html A tribute on Bharat-Rakshak]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010501233938/http://www.geocities.com/siafdu/sekhon.html A tribute to Nirmal Jit]
* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/personalities/military/sekhon.html At Sikh History]
* [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021213/ldh1.htm#7 Profile of Sekhon on Tribune India]
*[http://jaihindjaibharat.com/?p=108 Jai Hind Jai Bharat]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101103234927/http://shaheednjssekhon.com/ ]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V97vHieGvIQ&t=13m31s YouTube Video by Headlines today which, at 13:31, shows animated account of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's PVC Action.]
{{1971 Indo-Pak War}}

{{Param Vir Chakra recipients}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sekhon, Nirmal Jit Singh}}
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:1971 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel killed in action]]
[[Category:Sikh warriors]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Indian aviators]]
[[Category:Pilots of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Ludhiana]]
[[Category:Aviators killed by being shot down]]