Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

    

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon

 On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was bombed and strafed by six Pakistani Sabre aircraft

   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. 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. Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that ensured, he secured hits on one aircraft and set another on fire. Even through 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 sheeer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and be was killed.