Fg Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was serving as a fighter pilot with a Gnat detachment of No. 18 Squadron of the Indian Air Force, proudly known as “The Flying Bullets.” At the time, the squadron stood at the forefront of the IAF’s combat readiness, entrusted with demanding operational responsibilities that required exceptional skill, courage, and unwavering resolve. No. 18 Squadron was among the most distinguished and battle-hardened fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force. Since its inception, it has earned a formidable reputation for precision strike capability, aggressive air combat tactics, and an indomitable fighting spirit—qualities forged through decades of intensive training and combat deployments. Raised on 15 April 1965, with Wing Commander Aubrey Leslie Michael as its first 'Commanding Officer', the squadron had consistently remained at the cutting edge of the IAF’s fighter capability. The squadron was formed at Ambala with an initial strength of five Folland Gnat aircraft and eleven pilots. Owing to the Gnat’s small, lean, and lethal profile, the unit was aptly christened “The Flying Bullets.” Its crest symbolically depicts a winged bullet slicing through a shockwave, representing speed, lethality, and supersonic performance. The squadron’s motto, “Teevra aur Nirbhay”—translated as “Swift and Fearless”—aptly reflected its operational ethos and combat philosophy. 

In 1971, a Gnat detachment of No. 18 Squadron was deployed at Srinagar Air Base to provide air defence of the Kashmir Valley against potential Pakistani air attacks. Until the outbreak of hostilities, no air defence aircraft had been permanently based at Srinagar, in accordance with an international agreement dating back to 1948. Consequently, Fg Offr Sekhon and his fellow pilots were operating in unfamiliar terrain, at high altitude, and in the harsh conditions of the Kashmir winter, marked by severe cold and biting winds. Despite these disadvantages, they resolutely defended the valley against repeated Pakistani air intrusions from the very first days of the conflict. By November 1971, violations of Indian airspace by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had become increasingly frequent. At least ten major intrusions were recorded over areas including Srinagar, Amritsar, Jammu, Jamnagar, and Ganganagar. On 3 December 1971, Pakistan launched simultaneous air attacks on several Indian airfields—among them Amritsar, Srinagar, Avantipur, and Pathankot—formally marking the beginning of full-scale hostilities. While the Indian Air Force (IAF) rapidly achieved air superiority in the Eastern Sector and executed landmark operations such as the heli-borne insertion of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles at Sylhet, the Western Sector remained fiercely contested. Srinagar, in particular, was subjected to repeated PAF attacks, and No. 18 Squadron was tasked with its air defence. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar Airfield came under attack by six PAF F-86 Sabre jets from No. 26 Squadron, operating out of Peshawar. At the time, Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty. As the first bombs fell on the runway, he scrambled for take-off as No. 2 in a two-aircraft Gnat formation, with Flight Lieutenant Ghumman leading. Dust thrown up by the lead aircraft initially delayed his take-off, and by the time the runway cleared, all six enemy fighters were already overhead, strafing and bombing the airfield.

Undeterred by the extreme danger of launching during an ongoing attack, Fg Offr Sekhon took off and immediately engaged the enemy. In the fierce air combat that followed, he attacked a pair of Sabres, scoring a direct hit on one and setting another ablaze. The damaged Sabre was seen fleeing towards Rajauri, trailing smoke. In quick succession, Fg Offr Sekhon had effectively neutralised two enemy aircraft. The battle then descended to treetop height, where Fg Offr Sekhon continued to fight with exceptional skill and determination. Outnumbered six to one, he held his own until his aircraft was hit. Though advised to return to base, his Gnat had suffered critical damage. It is believed that the aircraft flew straight and level for a short while before rolling inverted and plunging earthward, likely due to control system failure. Fg Offr Sekhon attempted a last-moment ejection, but it proved unsuccessful. His aircraft crashed, and he was martyred in action. His sacrifice, however, achieved its purpose. Shaken by the unexpected resistance and losses, the remaining Sabre jets abandoned their attack on Srinagar town and airfield and withdrew immediately. Flying Officer Sekhon’s supreme courage, superb flying skill, and indomitable resolve—displayed far beyond the call of duty—stood as a shining example of the highest traditions of the Indian Air Force. For his extraordinary gallantry in the face of overwhelming odds, Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest wartime gallantry decoration. He remains the first and only officer of the Indian Air Force to receive this honour, and is remembered as one of the greatest air warriors in the history of the IAF—an enduring symbol of sacrifice, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the defence of the nation.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is survived by his sister, Smt Inderjit Bhoparai. 

The citation for the "Param Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:

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. In accordance with the international agreement dating back to 1948, no air defence aircraft were based at Srinagar, until the outbreak of hostilities with Pakistan. Flying Officer Sekhon was, therefore, unfamiliar with the terrain and was not acclimatised to the altitude of Srinagar, especially with the bitter cold and biting winds of the Kashmir winter. Nevertheless, from the outset of the war, he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valour and determination, maintaining the high reputation of the Gnat aircraft. On 14th December 1971, Srinagar Airfield was attacked by a wave of six enemy Sabre aircraft. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at the time.

However, he could not take off at once because of the clouds of dust raised by another aircraft which had just taken off. By the time the runway was fit for take-off, no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead, and strafing of the airfield was in progress. Nevertheless, in spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during an attack, and in spite of the odds against him. Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that followed, at tree-top height, he all but held his own, but was eventually overcome by sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and he was killed. Thus, sacrificing himself for the defence of Srinagar, Flying Officer Sekhon achieved his object, for the enemy aircraft fled from the scene of the battle without pressing home their attack against the town and the airfield. 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, set new heights to Air Force traditions.

• The Army Postal Service issued a special cover on 7 October 1982 to honour Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, marking the 50th anniversary of the Indian Air Force.

• A commemorative postage stamp was also issued in his honour on the occasion of the 50th Republic Day in 2000.

• A marine tanker built in 1985 was named “Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC”, which is regarded as the longest ship name in the world.

• The road junction connecting Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Ambala, and Ferozepur has been named Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon Chowk in his memory.

• A statue paying tribute to Flying Officer Sekhon was erected in the courtyard of the District Court in Ludhiana; it was initially installed at Samrala Chowk, Ludhiana. A decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter aircraft forms part of this memorial and serves as a gate guardian.

•  Flying Officer Sekhon's statue, along with a decommissioned Folland Gnat fighter, has been installed at the Indian Air Force Museum, Palam.

• A detailed account of his courageous actions has been documented by Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail. His exceptional flying skills were later acknowledged and praised in an article by Salim Baig Mirza, the pilot who shot him down.

• Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon’s bust has been installed at the National War Memorial, New Delhi, in his honour.
• A Film titled Shradhanjali was released in 2021 to commemorate the life of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon.
• His story and gallantry have been brought to a wider audience through the Hindi-language epic war film Border 2 (Released in Jan 2026), directed by Anurag Singh. The film is set against the backdrop of the 1971 war and presents a multi-front war narrative, with actor Diljit Dosanjh portraying Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon on screen, highlighting his bravery and sacrifice.

Ravinder Singh Gill, a family friend recounts his association with the martyr.

“My dad and Trilok uncle were very fast friends. You can say more than relatives. In my school at Kanpur everyone knew that Nirmal Vir Ji was my cousin as I called his parents Mama Ji and Mami Ji as my mother belonged to a Sekhon Family. I’m having rate photographs of his parents and widow Manjit bhabhi ji holding PVC in her hands. I took those on 30 Jan 1972 at Kanpur. Nirmal Vir Ji’s Idols were KEELOR BROTHERS and Abdul Hameed. Gnat was his favourite Aircraft and to continue in Gnat Squadron Vir Ji sacriced his big JOODA (higher than his turban) which is visible in all his photographs. I was given a huge respect by students as well as teachers because they thought him my cousin. When first time news broke out on 14 Dec 1971 in Evening, Trilok Mama Ji was at our IAF Family Quarter as in Mami Ji’s absence he occasionally dined with us.”