IAF Commando Jyoti Prakash Nirala To Get Ashok Chakra Posthumously

Jyoti Prakash Nirala, Indian Air Force's Garud Commando who single-handedly shot down three terrorists during an anti-terror operation, will be awarded the Ashok Chakra posthumously on 69th Republic Day. Six terrorists were shot dead during an hour-long fierce gun battle in Chandergeer, a village in the Hajin area of Kashmir's Bandipora district on November 18 last year. Among the slain terrorists was the nephew of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief and 26/11 Mumbai terror mastermind Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi. Jyoti Prakash Nirala, armed with light machine gun, laid down his life during the encounter while shooting dead three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists despite being shot by the bullets. Air Force sources told NDTV that Corporal Nirala had retaliated fiercely. He will be the first Indian Air Force Commando to receive the award after his death.