Buy Now on Amazon
Why he is the only Flying Officer to receive Param vir chakra
Hello lads, Hope you all are good.
The history is evident that Indian soil is known for the bravest of braves.
Today we are going to take you to the tale of a Brave heart who displayed an exemplary courage for the call of duty and sacrificed his life defending the motherland.
The hero is Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, the only recipient of the PVC from Indian Air Force. This day that year in 1971, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon wrote a saga of valor in the history of Airforce.
Facts about Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon:
- Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was an officer of the Indian Air Force.
- Sekhon was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration.
- Moreover, he is remembered in the world for his lone defense of the Srinagar Airbase against marauding Pakistani air raid.
- He is the only officer in Air Force to be decorated with the PVC.
- Sekhon was born on 17th July 1943 in Ludhiana.
- He was fascinated to join the Airforce since childhood; motivation comes from his father who was a Master Warrant Officer.
- With true devotion to his dream, Sekhon got commissioned as a pilot on 4th June 1967.
- He joined the No. 18 Squadron “Flying Bullets” of the Indian Air Force.
- He was the fighter pilot of the Folland Gnat “HAL Ajeet” aircraft.
- He got martyred on 14th December 1971 while defending Srinagar air base from the air raid.
14th December 1971:
During Indo-Pakistani War 1971, Sekhon was posted to the Srinagar Air Base.
On 14th December, Srinagar Airbase was attacked by six Pakistani Sabre jets from PAF base Peshawar.
Fly. Officer Sekhon was ready that time to counter the air raid, as soon as the first aircraft attacked Sekhon rolled for the take off as No 2 in a two Gnat formation with Flt. Lt. Ghuman.
Due to the lost in the visuals of Flt. Lt. Ghumman, Sekhon was remained to give a solo fight to six sabers.
Nevertheless, Sekhon proceeded with full josh, in the direct fight Sekhon shot one Sabre with a direct hit and destroying it.
Seconds after, he set another Sabre into the fire but being outnumbered Sekhon’s Gnat was hit a number of times.
Sekhon was advised to return to his base or for an ejection, but for the safety, honor, and welfare of the country, he decided to remain in the aircraft to give Pakistanis a tough fight.
When his aircraft was set on intense fire, he attempted a last-minute ejection, unsuccessful causing him to succumb to his injuries.
Against the odds 1:6, Fly. Officer Sekhon without delay displayed determination and flying skill, earning him India’s highest gallantry honor, the PVC.
PVC Citation:
So friends lest not forget our heroes supreme sacrifice and remember him on his 47th death anniversary.
“When you go home, tell them of us and say for your better tomorrow we lost our today”.
All the facts you want to know about Param Vir Chakra (PVC) and its recipients
