For the first time ever, an Indian Air Force (IAF) air warrior is likely to get the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry medal, on the Republic Day. Commando JP Nirala died fighting terrorists during an encounter in Kashmir in November last year. Six terrorists, including nephew of Mumbai terror attack planner Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi, were killed in the firefight.
Nirala, 31, was part of a unit of IAF commando force Garud, which operates alongside the security forces during counter-insurgency operations. Following the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase, it was decided to deploy Garud commandos under the Army command in Jammu & Kashmir to give them actual combat experience. At present, nearly 100 Garuds are part of joint teams of the Army and the Jammu & Kashmir Police.
In the past, Ashok Chakra, and second highest gallantry medal Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, were mostly awarded to personnel of the Army, paramilitary forces and the police for displaying high level of bravery.
In 1984, Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma was awarded Ashok Chakra after he became the first Indian astronaut to go to space. The IAF has got the only wartime highest gallantry medal Paramvir Chakra. It was awarded posthumously to Flight Lieutenant Nirmaljit Singh Sekhon for his heroics during the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Nirala’s name was recommended for Ashok Chakra as he single-handedly shot three terrorists during an encounter in Hajin, Bandipora. The Garud commando sustained bullet wounds and later died in hospital.
The firefight ensued after a joint team of Garud commandos and soldiers of 13 Rashtriya Rifles of Army surrounded a house in which the terrorists were hiding, officials said. Terrorists started firing at the security forces and some of them tried to escape while firing. Nirala retaliated and with accurate and heavy fire killed three terrorists and prevented others from escaping.
The commando sustained bullet injuries during fierce gun battle but continued to fight back, they said. A native of Rohtas district, Bihar, Nirala had joined the IAF in 2005.
Garud commando force was raised in 2005 to provide security to vital and strategic installations of the IAF. Initially its strength was nearly 1,200.The need to provide them experience in live situations arose after terrorists attacked Pathankot airbase in January 2016. The Government also sanctioned induction of additional 600 commandos after that attack thereby raising the strength to 1,800 at present. Many units of Garuds are now serving stints in Kashmir and regularly take part in operations. Two commandos of this force were killed in October last year during an encounter in Kashmir.
After basic training, these commandos go through rigorous drills carried out the elite commandos of the Special Forces of the Army. The training includes jungle warfare, parachute jumping, handling of all kinds of weapons and advanced driving skills.