Indian Air Force Commando JP Nirala awarded Ashok Chakra

     Written by : SMTV24x7 | Fri, Jan 26, 2018, 12:53 AM

Indian Air Force Commando JP Nirala awarded Ashok Chakra

Indian Air Force Garud Commando JP Nirala was shot thrice by terrorists during an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Hajin on November 18, 2017. Despite sustaining bullet injuries, Nirala hit back killing three terrorists in the encounter in which the nephew of the Mumbai terror attack plotter Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi was also eliminated. Nirala died of his wounds later.

The brave IAF commando will be given Ashok Chakra award, the highest gallantry award for bravery in peacetime, posthumously on Republic Day on Friday. This is for the first time when an Indian Air Force soldier will be conferred Ashok Chakra. In the past, Indian Army jawans have been conferred with the gallantry award.

JP Nirala, who belonged to Bihar, was part of a unit of IAF commando force Garud which was deployed after terror attack on Pathankot air base for combatting terror strikes at crucial armed forces establishments. Presently, 100 Garud commandos are part of different joint teams of the Army and the Jammu & Kashmir Police.