Flying Officer #Nirmaljit_Singh_Sekhon, PVC Gave his life in aerial combat today in 1971 war.
#FreedomIsNotFree
जय हिन्द 🇮🇳 वन्दे मातरम् 🫡
#FreedomIsNotFree
जय हिन्द 🇮🇳 वन्दे मातरम् 🫡
He was born on 17 July 1945, He was the son of M.W.O. (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant Tarlok Singh Sekhon. He got commissioned on 04 June 1967 in the 97th pilots course.
He was born on 17 July 1945, He was the son of M.W.O. (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant Tarlok Singh Sekhon.
He was born on 17 July 1945, He was the son of M.W.O. (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant Tarlok Singh Sekhon.
He got commissioned on 04 June 1967 in the 97th pilots course.
When the 1971 war started, he was posted to 18 Squadron flying highly agile Gnat aircraft. They were to provide protection to the Srinagar airfield from attacks.
When the 1971 war started, he was posted to 18 Squadron flying highly agile Gnat aircraft. They were to provide protection to the Srinagar airfield from attacks.
On December 14, 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six F-86 Sabre jets of the Pakistan Air Force from the PAF base in Peshawar.
Flying officer Sekhon was on Operational Readiness standby duty at the time.
As soon as the first aircraft attacked,
Flying officer Sekhon was on Operational Readiness standby duty at the time.
As soon as the first aircraft attacked,
Sekhon taxied for takeoff as number two in a two-aircraft formation, with Flight Lieutenant Ghumman in the lead, just as the first bomb began to hit the runway.
His take off was delayed, delayed only because the previous gnats were kicking up dust,
His take off was delayed, delayed only because the previous gnats were kicking up dust,
Sekhon quickly picked out the first pair of Sabers to regrouping after the the bomb run.
The Gnat formation leader, Flight Lieutenant Ghumman, lost sight of his wingman shortly after takeoff and didn’t engage in the battle, leaving Sekhon alone to deal with the chaos,
The Gnat formation leader, Flight Lieutenant Ghumman, lost sight of his wingman shortly after takeoff and didn’t engage in the battle, leaving Sekhon alone to deal with the chaos,
in the ensuing air battle.
Sekhon ploughed straight into the enemy formation, with a direct hit on one Saber and setting the other ablaze.
The second aircraft was seen moving towards Rajauri while emitting smoking.
Sekhon ploughed straight into the enemy formation, with a direct hit on one Saber and setting the other ablaze.
The second aircraft was seen moving towards Rajauri while emitting smoking.
But he was heavily outnumbered and the remaining Sabres attacked him. His aircraft was hit. After being hit, Sekhon was ordered to return to base.
It is believed that, possibly due to a failure in the control system, he extended his wings and flew straight for a while
It is believed that, possibly due to a failure in the control system, he extended his wings and flew straight for a while
before flipping onto his back and plummeting downwards
He did attempted a last-minute exit, as his canopy was observed flying off.
The remains of the gnat were found in a ravine near the road from the city of Srinagar to the base, several miles from the base.
He did attempted a last-minute exit, as his canopy was observed flying off.
The remains of the gnat were found in a ravine near the road from the city of Srinagar to the base, several miles from the base.
However inspite of multiple search operations by the Army and Air Force, his body was never found.
The braveheart gave his all for India.
Jai Hind
The braveheart gave his all for India.
Jai Hind
Loading suggestions...