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{{Short description| | {{Short description|Indian Air Force officer; Param Vir Chakra recipient}} | ||
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} | {{EngvarB|date=September 2014}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | ||
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| honorific_prefix = [[Flying Officer]] | | honorific_prefix = [[Flying Officer]] | ||
| name = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | | name = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | ||
| honorific_suffix = | | honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|size=100%|country=IND|PVC}} | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|7|17}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1945|7|17}}<ref name=OfficialDoB>{{cite web|url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/indianairforce/database/10877/|title=Service Record for Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon|publisher=bharat-rakshak.com|date=December 2017|access-date=31 December 2017}}</ref> | ||
| 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}}<ref name=OfficialDoB/> | ||
| 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]]) | | 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 ( | | death_place = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]] | ||
| image = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon 2000 stamp of India.jpg | | image = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon 2000 stamp of India.jpg | ||
| image_size = | | image_size = 250px | ||
| allegiance = {{ | | alt = A 2000 Indian postage stamp featuring a portrait of gallantry award winner Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC, in military uniform. To his right is a line drawing of a jet aircraft in flight. The stamp includes the Indian Air Force crest and text commemorating 50 years of the Republic of India. | ||
| caption = Sekhon on a 2000 stamp of India | |||
| birth_name = Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | |||
| other_name = N.J.S. Sekhon | |||
| nickname = Nimmy<br>Brother | |||
| allegiance = {{flag|India}} | |||
| branch = {{air force|India}} | | branch = {{air force|India}} | ||
| serviceyears = 1967–1971 | | serviceyears = 1967–1971{{KIA}} | ||
| rank = [[File:Flying Officer of IAF.png| | | rank = [[File:Flying Officer of IAF.png|20px]] [[Flying Officer]] | ||
| unit = [[No. 18 Squadron IAF|No. 18 Squadron]] | | servicenumber = 10877 F(P)<ref name=OfficialDoB/> | ||
| battles = [[ | | unit = [[File:Roundel of India.svg|20px]] [[No. 18 Squadron IAF|No. 18 Squadron]]<br>([[No. 18 Squadron IAF|Flying Bullets]]) | ||
| awards = [[Image:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]] (posthumous) | | battles = {{tree list}} | ||
* [[India–Pakistan war of 1971]] | |||
**[[Operation Chengiz Khan]]{{KIA}} | |||
{{tree list/end}} | |||
| awards = [[Image:Param-Vir-Chakra-ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Param Vir Chakra]]<br>(posthumous) | |||
| alma_mater = {{plainlist| | |||
* [[File:National Defence Academy NDA.png|20px|class=skin-invert]] [[National Defence Academy (India)|National Defence Academy]] | |||
* [[File:Badge of the Indian Air Force.png|20px|class=skin-invert]] [[Air Force Academy (India)|Indian Air Force Academy]] | |||
}} | }} | ||
}} | |||
[[Indian Air Force ranks and insignia#Commissioned Officers|Flying Officer]] '''Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon''', {{Post-nominals|country=IND|PVC}} (17 July 1945 – 14 December 1971)<ref name=OfficialDoB/> was an officer of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He was [[Posthumous award|posthumously awarded]] the [[Param Vir Chakra]], India's highest military honour, in recognition of his lone defence of [[Srinagar]] Air Base against a [[Pakistan Air Force]] (PAF) air raid during the [[India–Pakistan 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> | |||
Flying Officer Sekhon's remains as well as the exact location of the crash site of his aircraft are still unknown. | |||
[[ | [[File:FO Nirmal Jit Singh.jpg|thumb|[[File:Indian Air Force - Pilot Badge.png|35px]] [[Indian Air Force ranks and insignia#Commissioned Officers|Fg Offr]] Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, [[Param Vir Chakra|PVC]]]] | ||
[[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]] | ||
[[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 [[ | [[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|No. 18 Squadron]] just a few months before the [[India–Pakistan war of 1971]]. He is sitting in the 2nd row from the bottom, 4th from the right.]] | ||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a [[Jat Sikh | Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a [[Jat Sikh]] family on 17 July 1945<ref name=OfficialDoB/> in the village of [[Isewal]], [[Ludhiana district|Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab Province]], [[British Raj|British India]].<ref name="The Tribune Chandigarh"/><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> His father was an Indian Air Force’s [[Junior commissioned officer|Master Warrant Officer]], Honorary [[Flight lieutenant|Flight Lieutenant]] Tarlochan Singh Sekhon<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030131/ldh1.htm |title=The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories - ‘Nirmal did us all proud’|publisher=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]]|access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> and his mother was Harbans Kaur Sekhon.<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 | During the India–Pakistan war of 1971, he was stationed at the [[No. 18 Squadron IAF|No.18 Squadron]], "Flying Bullets" of IAF, flying the [[Folland Gnat]] [[fighter aircraft]] based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked – as part of [[Operation Chengiz Khan]] – 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]]. [[Indian_Air_Force_ranks_and_insignia#Commissioned_Officers|Fg Offr]] 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 and threw bomb on Pakistan military camp and killed 47 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. | ||
Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader | Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base by ATC Squadron Leader [[Virendera Singh Pathania]].<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 and plummeting down, probably due to 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 | A detailed story of his effort has been mentioned in fairly detailed account by Air Cmde [[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 has been praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who downed his aircraft during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.<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 |archive-date=28 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728125634/http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/sept/air-battles.htm |url-status=dead }}</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. | |||
== Citation == | == Citation == | ||
The [[Param Vir Chakra]] citation reads as follows: | The [[Param Vir Chakra]] citation reads as follows: | ||
{{ | {{Blockquote|{{center|'''CITATION '''<br> | ||
'''FG OFFR NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON'''<br> | '''FG OFFR NIRMAL JIT SINGH SEKHON'''<br> | ||
'''18 SQUADRON 10877 F(P)''' | '''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. | 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. | ||
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==Honours== | ==Honours== | ||
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in | *Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in India. | ||
*A marine tanker built in 1985 was named ''Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC''. | |||
A marine tanker built in 1985 was named ''Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC''. | *Indian Army converted the room once used by Sekhon, into a museum called ''PVC Abode'' at [[Badami Bagh]] in [[Srinagar]]. It was unveiled on his 80th birth anniversary in July 2025, to preserve his legacy of courage and bravery during the 1971 War. | ||
== | ==Statues and a bust== | ||
[[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]] | [[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 | 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 flagpole. 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. | 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:// | [[File:Relief Mural Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.jpg|thumb|Relief Mural at [[Balidan Stambh]] Jammu]] | ||
[[Balidan Stambh]], the war memorial in Jammu, [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] in 2009 paid tribute to him by inscribing his name on the pillars alongside the martyrs of the 1971 war. His name is displayed near the [[Amar Jawan Jyoti]] (Eternal Flame) and as relief mural on the outside background wall with the [[Param Vir Chakra]] awardees who attained martyrdom in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|J&K]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=A Monument of Sacrifice|url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/a-monument-of-sacrifice-2/|publisher=Daily Excelsior|access-date=29 December 2024}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Sculpture of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of N.J.S. Sekhon at ''Shaheedi Park'', New Delhi]] | |||
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://indianexpress.com/photos/india-news/bust-of-flying-officer-nirmal-jeet-sekhon-pvc-unveiled-iaf-holds-airshow|access-date=14 September 2021}}</ref> | |||
[[File:Statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon and his aircraft, 10 sep 2013.jpg|thumb| This memorial with his aircraft model is located at the District Court Complex Ludhiana.]] | |||
==In popular culture== | |||
* The thirteenth episode of [[Param Vir Chakra (TV series)|TV Series Param Vir Chakra]], aired on [[DD National]] was on him in 1988. He was protrayed by actor [[Kanwaljit Singh (actor)|Kanwaljit Singh]] <ref>{{Cite news |title=Independence Day Special: 8 Patriotic Indian TV Serials That Were Way Better Than the Present Saas-Bahu Saga |url=https://www.lokmattimes.com/entertainment/independence-day-2021-top-5-tv-patriotic-shows-to-watch-on-this-special-day/ |work=Lokmat Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Mandi House hardsells Kashmir in its serial 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam'| newspaper = [[India Today]]| url = https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/media/story/19900815-mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam-812914-1990-08-14| author = Madhu Jain| date = 15 August 1990| access-date = 13 August 2014| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140814124434/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mandi-house-hardsells-kashmir-in-its-serial-gul-gulshan-gulfam/1/315475.html| archive-date = 14 August 2014| df = dmy-all}}</ref> | |||
*A [[graphic novel]] titled ''Param Vir Chakra by Amar Chitra Katha'' dedicated their thirteenth story written by Sanjana Kapur and drawn by Durgesh Velhal in 2015.<ref>{{cite book|last=Puri|first=Reena|title=Param Vir Chakra|url=https://us.amarchitrakatha.com/products/param-vir-chakra?srsltid=AfmBOoqWTSyUiI7Eg2DFYy6uviDWA_GL1zCjrXvBMIo1-wpCmS6UZKg7|year=2015|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|pages=38–47|isbn=9789350858424|access-date=30 December 2024}}</ref> | |||
*A [[graphic novel]] titled ''Param Vir Chakra Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon'' by Roli Books written by [[Ian Cardozo]] and drawn by Rishi Kumar in 2019.<ref>{{cite book|last=Cardozo|first=Ian|title=Param Vir Chakra Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon |url=https://rolibooks.com/product/param-vir-chakra-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon/|publisher=Lotus|isbn=9788174369246|access-date= 30 December 2024}}</ref> | |||
* In Bollywood film ''[[Border 2]]'', [[Diljit Dosanjh]] played the role of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Border2: Diljit Dosanjh to Play Param Vir Chakra Awardee Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon in ‘Border 2’ |url=https://www.brutimes.com/news/entertainment/diljit-dosanjh-to-play-param-vir-chakra-awardee-nirmal-jit-singh-sekhon-in-border-2 |website=Bru Times News |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Commons category|Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon}} | {{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://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.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218075946/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/awards/war/301-pvc.html |date=18 February 2017 }} | ||
* [http://samariaf0.tripod.com/other455.html File Photo of Marine Tanker Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Shekhon, PVC] | * [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/20051125091755/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/HEROISM/Sekhon.html A tribute on Bharat-Rakshak] | ||
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* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/personalities/military/sekhon.html At Sikh History] | * [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://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20021213/ldh1.htm#7 Profile of Sekhon on Tribune India] | ||
*[http://jaihindjaibharat.com/?p=108 Jai Hind Jai Bharat] | *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110305135746/http://jaihindjaibharat.com/?p=108 Jai Hind Jai Bharat]}} | ||
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101103234927/http://shaheednjssekhon.com/ ] | * [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.] | * [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}} | {{1971 Indo-Pak War}} | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sekhon, Nirmal Jit Singh}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Sekhon, Nirmal Jit Singh}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1945 births]] | ||
[[Category:1971 deaths]] | [[Category:1971 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:Indian Air Force officers]] | |||
[[Category:Indian military aviators]] | |||
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the India–Pakistan war of 1971]] | |||
[[Category:Pilots of the India–Pakistan war of 1971]] | |||
[[Category:Aviators killed by being shot down]] | |||
[[Category:Indian military personnel killed in action]] | [[Category:Indian military personnel killed in action]] | ||
[[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]] | [[Category:Recipients of the Param Vir Chakra]] | ||
[[Category:Military personnel from Ludhiana]] | [[Category:Military personnel from Ludhiana]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:28, 19 March 2026
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon | |
|---|---|
 Sekhon on a 2000 stamp of India | |
| Birth name | Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon |
| Other name(s) | N.J.S. Sekhon |
| Nickname(s) | Nimmy Brother |
| Born | 17 July 1945[1] Ludhiana, Punjab, British India[2] (now in Punjab, India) |
| Died | 14 December 1971 (aged 26)[1] Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1967–1971 † |
| Rank |  Flying Officer |
| Service number | 10877 F(P)[1] |
| Unit |  No. 18 Squadron(Flying Bullets) |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards |  Param Vir Chakra(posthumous) |
| Alma mater | |
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC (17 July 1945 – 14 December 1971)[1] was an officer of the Indian Air Force. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) air raid during the India–Pakistan war of 1971.[3] He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the PVC.[4]
Flying Officer Sekhon's remains as well as the exact location of the crash site of his aircraft are still unknown.
Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC
Early life[edit | edit source]
Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born in a Jat Sikh family on 17 July 1945[1] in the village of Isewal, Ludhiana, Punjab Province, British India.[2][5] His father was an Indian Air Force’s Master Warrant Officer, Honorary Flight Lieutenant Tarlochan Singh Sekhon[6] and his mother was Harbans Kaur Sekhon.[7] He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1967 as a Pilot Officer.
Param Vir Chakra Award[edit | edit source]
During the India–Pakistan war of 1971, he was stationed at the No.18 Squadron, "Flying Bullets" of IAF, flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971 Srinagar airfield was attacked – as part of Operation Chengiz Khan – by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets of 26 Squadron from PAF Base Peshawar. Fg Offr 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 and threw bomb on Pakistan military camp and killed 47 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.
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 to 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 Cmde Kaiser Tufail.[9] His skill has been praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who downed his aircraft during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[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[edit | edit source]
The Param Vir Chakra citation reads as follows:
CITATION
FG 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[edit | edit source]
- Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in India.
- A marine tanker built in 1985 was named Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC.
- Indian Army converted the room once used by Sekhon, into a museum called PVC Abode at Badami Bagh in Srinagar. It was unveiled on his 80th birth anniversary in July 2025, to preserve his legacy of courage and bravery during the 1971 War.
Statues and a bust[edit | edit source]
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 flagpole. 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.
Balidan Stambh, the war memorial in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir in 2009 paid tribute to him by inscribing his name on the pillars alongside the martyrs of the 1971 war. His name is displayed near the Amar Jawan Jyoti (Eternal Flame) and as relief mural on the outside background wall with the Param Vir Chakra awardees who attained martyrdom in J&K.[12]
Air Marshal BR Krishna unveiled Sekhon's bust in 2021 at Govt. Senior Sec. School, Issewal in Ludhiana, his birthplace.[13]
In popular culture[edit | edit source]
- The thirteenth episode of TV Series Param Vir Chakra, aired on DD National was on him in 1988. He was protrayed by actor Kanwaljit Singh [14][15]
- A graphic novel titled Param Vir Chakra by Amar Chitra Katha dedicated their thirteenth story written by Sanjana Kapur and drawn by Durgesh Velhal in 2015.[16]
- A graphic novel titled Param Vir Chakra Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon by Roli Books written by Ian Cardozo and drawn by Rishi Kumar in 2019.[17]
- In Bollywood film Border 2, Diljit Dosanjh played the role of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.[18]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Service Record for Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon". bharat-rakshak.com. December 2017. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 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. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ↑ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India – Ludhiana Stories - 'Nirmal did us all proud'". The Tribune. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ↑ "Stories of Gallantry Award | Indian Air Force | Government of India". indianairforce.nic.in.
- ↑ "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. Archived from the original on 28 July 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2012.
- ↑ Param Vir Chakra (PVC) Awardee: Fg Offr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, PVC, The War Decorated India & Trust, retrieved 1 September 2014
- ↑ "A Monument of Sacrifice". Daily Excelsior. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
- ↑ "Bust of Flying Officer Nirmal Jeet Sekhon PVC unveiled, IAF holds airshow". Retrieved 14 September 2021.
- ↑ "Independence Day Special: 8 Patriotic Indian TV Serials That Were Way Better Than the Present Saas-Bahu Saga". Lokmat Times.
- ↑ Madhu Jain (15 August 1990). "Mandi House hardsells Kashmir in its serial 'Gul Gulshan Gulfam'". India Today. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- ↑ Puri, Reena (2015). Param Vir Chakra. Amar Chitra Katha. pp. 38–47. ISBN 9789350858424. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ Cardozo, Ian. Param Vir Chakra Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. Lotus. ISBN 9788174369246. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
- ↑ "Border2: Diljit Dosanjh to Play Param Vir Chakra Awardee Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon in 'Border 2'". Bru Times News.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's citation of the Param Vir Chakra at Bharat-Rakshak.com. Archived 18 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine
- 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[usurped]
- [1]
- YouTube Video by Headlines today which, at 13:31, shows animated account of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon's PVC Action.