When IAF proved its superiority while dominating the skies; Tribute to 1971 air-warrior, sole PVC recipient Fg.Offr Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

During the December 1971 Indo-Paki conflict, although Pakistan had initiated the war with pre-emptive air strikes against major forward air bases, the IAF rapidly gained the initiative and had thereafter dominated the skies over both fronts. Admittedly, there had to be war losses but in aerial combat, the IAF proved its superiority in no uncertain manner. In the West, the IAF's primary tasks were disruption of enemy communications, the destruction of fuel and ammunition reserves, and the prevention of any ground force concentrations so that no major offensive could be mounted against India while Indian forces were primarily engaged in the East. On the Eastern front, the Indian forces launched a sophisticated campaign that included rapid-moving infantry and armor advancing from three directions, airborne and heliborne assaults, missile bombardments from ships, and an amphibious landing, the IAF's task being primarily direct support of the ground forces.

Pre-emptive strikes were launched by the Pakistan Air Force against IAF bases at Srinagar, Amritsar, and Pathankot, followed by attacks on Ambala, Agra, Jodhpur, Uttarlai, Avantipur, Faridkot, Halwara, and Sirsa on Dec 3, 1971. Apart from IAF bases, the PAF attacked railway stations, Indian armor concentrations and other targets. In response and during the ensuing two weeks, the IAF carried out some 4,000 sorties in the West from major and forward bases in Jammu, Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan, while, in the East, a further 1,978 sorties were flown.

While first-round had gone to the Gnats, again, but its later compatriots, the MiG-21s, were to shortly demonstrate the superiority of this supersonic fighter, flown by professionals. 6 squadrons of MiG-21FLs were part of the IAF's order-of-battle, participating in operations both in the Eastern and Western Sectors. 3 MiG-21 squadrons, operating from Gauhati and Tezpur took part in counter-air, escort, and close air support tasks during the blitzkrieg action in Bangladesh. That the MiG-21 was highly effective in short-range, precision attacks were amply demonstrated during the attacks with 500 kg bombs on the PAF's air bases at Tezgaon and Kurmitola, while pinpoint 57 mm rocket attacks were carried out against key command centers in the capital Dacca itself. The IAF had a good reason for satisfaction with its showing during the December 1971 conflict.

The 1971 war also meant the gaining of India's highest award for gallantry to the IAF, when Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, flying Gnats with No. 18 Squadron from Srinagar, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra (PVC). Fg Offr Sekhon was the first officer of the IAF to have received the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” and continues to be remembered as one of the greatest air warriors of the IAF.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on 17 July 1945 in the village of Issewal in Ludhiana of Punjab. Since his childhood, son of Sri Trilok Singh Sekhon and Smt Harbans Kaur, Nirmal Jit was fascinated with aircraft and Air Force life as his village was located in the vicinity of Air Force base Halwara near Ludhiana. He was also inspired by the experiences of his father who served in the IAF and later retired as (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant.

A young Nirmal Jit studied in Khalsa High school Ajitsar Mohie near Ludhiana and later joined Dayalbagh Engineering college in Agra in 1962. However, he left the engineering course midway and joined the IAF. He was commissioned into the IAF on 04 June 1967 as a fighter pilot. After completing his rigorous training, Fg Offr Nirmal Jit joined No 18 Squadron, known as “Flying Bullets” in Oct 1968.

Indo-Paki War: 14 Dec 1971

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Flying officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon was a pilot of a Gnat detachment (18 Squadron, known as “The Flying bullets”) based at Srinagar. In accordance with the international agreement dating back to 1948, no air defence aircraft were based at Srinagar, until hostilities broke out with Pakistan. Fg Offr Sekhon was, therefore, unfamiliar with the terrain and was not accustomed to the bitter cold and biting winds of the Kashmir winter. Nevertheless, he and his colleagues fought successive waves of intruding Pakistani aircraft with valor and determination.

On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets of 26 Sqn from PAF base Peshawar. Fg Offr Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. As soon as the first aircraft attacked, he 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. He could not start immediately as the dust from the first Gnat was clearing. By the time the runway was fit for take-off, the six enemy aircraft were overheard, and the attack on the airfield was in progress. In spite of the immense danger of attempting to take off during an attack, Fg Offr Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of attacking Sabres. In the ensuing air battle, he made a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze. The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke.

Fg Offr Sekhon thus succeeded in damaging and knocking off two of the enemy aircraft. In the fight that followed, at treetop height, Fg Offr Sekhon held his own but was eventually overcome by the sheer weight of numbers. Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base. As is believed, he had flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, plummeting down, probably due to the failure of the control system. Sekhon although attempted a last-minute ejection, it did not prove successful as his canopy was seen to fly off. His aircraft crashed and he was martyred but his sacrifice did not go in vain. The Sabre jets, unable to complete their attack on the town and its airfield, immediately retreated and fled the scene.

The true heroism, exemplary courage, flying skill, and determination, above and beyond the call of duty displayed by Flying Officer Sekhon was in the finest tradition of the IAF. It was due to his bravery and skill, against odds of 1 to 6 that earned him India’s highest wartime medal for gallantry, the “Param Vir Chakra”.