Operation Sindoor Insights at Sekhon PVC Memorial Lecture
Newz Daddy Defence Updates
The Air Force Association Gujarat Branch organised the Ninth edition of the Late Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC Annual Memorial Lectures, with two senior veteran Defence Officers sharing insights on the post-Operation Sindoor scenario and related strategic aspects of National Security at the Neelambar Auditorium, HQ SWAC, Gandhinagar, on 14 December 2025. This annual event has steadily grown into an important platform where military veterans, scholars, and members of the public come together to understand India’s evolving security outlook in a fast-changing regional environment.
Incidentally, it is on this fateful day of 14th December, fifty-four years back, that Late Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC, a brave son of the country, sacrificed his life while defending the Srinagar Airfield during the 1971 India–Pakistan war. His lone stand against multiple Pakistan Air Force F-86 Sabre jets is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of courage and self-sacrifice in Indian military history. Military historians often note that protecting the Srinagar Airfield was crucial, as it enabled continued air operations and prevented enemy forces from advancing deeper into Kashmir.
To commemorate this historic sacrifice and to keep his legacy alive among younger generations, “Sekhon IAF Marathon-2025” was held on 02 November 2025 at more than 60 locations across India. Such nationwide participation reflects the growing public respect for the armed forces and the increasing awareness of India’s military heritage beyond cantonments and air bases.
Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor SYSM PVSM AVSM VM, AOC-in-C, HQ SWAC, Gandhinagar, will attend the event as the Chief Guest. His leadership during Operation Sindoor earned him the Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, the highest peacetime operational award. Defence analysts note that Operation Sindoor marked a shift in India’s approach to security challenges, focusing on precision, preparedness, and deterrence without escalating into full-scale conflict. The recognition of Air Marshal Kapoor’s role highlights Gujarat’s growing strategic importance in India’s western defence architecture.
The memorial lectures will feature two highly respected veterans who continue to shape strategic thinking in India through research and policy discussions. Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh PVSM AVSM (Retd), Director General, Centre for Land Warfare Studies, will speak on “Operation Sindoor – Takeaway and Way Forward”. His institution is known for advising policymakers on land warfare, border security, and joint military operations, making his insights particularly relevant at a time when India faces complex land-based threats.
Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd), Director General, Centre for Air Power and Strategic Studies, will deliver a lecture titled “Operation Sindoor – Rewriting the India-Pakistan Rule Book”. Air power experts often emphasise that modern conflicts rely heavily on intelligence, surveillance, and air dominance, areas where India has made notable progress in recent years. His talk is expected to explain how air strategy now plays a central role in maintaining peace through strength.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon remains the only officer of the Indian Air Force to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra. His actions during unequal aerial combat continue to be studied at defence academies as an example of supreme dedication to duty. His martyrdom is remembered not only as an act of bravery but also as a lesson in leadership under extreme pressure.
Veteran Air Marshal Desai PVSM AVSM VSM (Retd), President of Air Force Association Gujarat Branch, has highlighted that India continues to face terrorist, maritime, and border threats. According to him, the purpose of these memorial lectures is to build public understanding of how India’s security posture is moving from reactive responses to proactive prevention, while still focusing on long-term peace and economic stability.
The Air Force Association Gujarat is a registered body of retired Indian Air Force personnel, originally established by Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh, DFC, the only Marshal of the Indian Air Force. With over 1,10,000 members, including more than 8,000 widows, the association plays a vital role in welfare, advocacy, and remembrance.
Established in 2007, the Gujarat Branch continues to support ex-servicemen and their families through financial help, legal guidance, and community support. Events like this memorial lecture reinforce not just remembrance, but also responsibility towards those who have served the nation.
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