Jyoti Prakash Nirala became the first Garud Commando of Indian Air Force to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra after he laid his life in the line of duty in November 2017. He had displayed utmost valor by shooting down five terrorists in Operation Rakshak in Jammu and Kashmir before he himself took the bullets.
IAF Garud Commando Corporal J P Nirala who martyred yesterday in line of duty during the raging gunfight at Hajin, J&K. Om Shanti Braveheart! 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/aTWWfLwmqN
— प्रkash™ (@iPraksy) November 19, 2017
J.P.Nirala (Air Force Commando) | Ashok Chakra https://t.co/nm7fprPo6o pic.twitter.com/EsTjfgYWYc
— IndiaUnited (@indiaunited01) January 27, 2018
The country honored the braveheart by bestowing India’s highest peacetime gallantry award on him posthumously during the Republic Day celebrations in 2018. Nirala’s mother and wife were conferred with the award by President Ramnath Kovind during the ceremony.
Nirala had left behind his family of wife, parents and four sisters. His family was facing financial constraints after the death of their only son. So, Nirala’s fellow commandos came forward to help his family in arranging his sister’s wedding.
'Brother in arms' when sister needs it most: @IAF_MCC #Garud commandos bid adieu fellow martyr J P Nirala's sister during her marriage on their hands in #Bihar, who died fighting terrorists in #kashmir in '17 & rcvd Ashok Chakra
Pic courtesy: @ashwaryas pic.twitter.com/oP2azlC2wa— Neeraj Rajput (@neeraj_rajput) June 13, 2019
The Garud commandos contributed Rs 500 each to raise a fund of Rs 5 lakh in total reports TN. All the arrangements of the wedding held in Patna were made with the funds raised by the Garud force.
His fellow commandos also participated in the wedding rituals. Some of the pictures of the wedding are already all over the internet where the commandos can be seen making the bride walk on their palms.
The extremely thoughtful and kind gesture by Nirala’s colleagues has garnered praise on social media. Moreover, it also throws light on how the families of our slain soldiers face financial hardships after their death.
Indian Armed Forces always stand with the family. What a proud momment my salute to them and IAF also.
— Alok Namdev (@alokvictor) June 13, 2019
Mates for life…🙏
— sourya gooptu (@sunnygooptu) June 13, 2019
No words to express my heartfelt wishes. Soldier is a soldier till he dies. Excellent camaraderie. Kudos to you guys. You are our future leaders. Jail hind
— murali venkataswamy (@majormurali) June 13, 2019
Really touching 🙏🏻
— Pooja 🇮🇳 (@beyoond_starz) June 13, 2019
Super impressive
— Flying Saucer Sandy (@SandySaucer) June 13, 2019
We hope our country makes an effort to make the life of our martyred soldiers’ kin financially secure and happy.