Tributes paid to 1971 war hero flying officer Sekhon

A wreath-laying ceremony was organised to pay tributes to Param Vir Chakra recipient martyr flying officer Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon on his martyrdom day at the district administrative complex (DAC) here on Saturday.

Martyr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, a native of Issewal village in Dakha, had sacrificed his life during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, along with senior air force officials, paid tributes to him by laying wreaths while the Punjab Police and Indian Air Force (IAF) presented the Guard of Honour to the martyr. A two-minute silence was also observed during the ceremony.

Martyr Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon, born on July 17, 1943, was commissioned in the IAF on July 4, 1967. During the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the Srinagar air field was attacked by a wave of six Pakistani aircraft on December 14, 1971.

Sekhon, despite being under attack, displayed exceptional flying skills and took off to counter the enemy attack. The officer exhibited extreme courage, valour and determination par excellence to thwart the Pakistani attack and destroyed two enemy aircraft forcing the enemy to return. Being heavily outnumbered, the Flying Officer eventually made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation while fighting the enemy.