Advertisement
The award was received by Corporal Nirala’s wife Sushmanand and his mother Malti Devi at the majestic Rajpath. After presenting the award, Kovind was seen wiping his face and eyes with his handkerchief.
Corporal Nirala was part of a Garud Special Forces Unit of the Indian Air Force, a detachment of which was attached to a Rashtriya Rifles battalion under the aegis of ‘Op Rakshak’ in Jammu and Kashmir. On November 18 last year, an offensive was launched in Chanderger village of Bandipora district based on specific intelligence. The Garud detachment covertly approached the target house where the terrorists were hiding and laid a close quarter ambush.
“Corporal Nirala, displaying exceptional battle craft, positioned himself close to the approach of the hideout, thus cutting off all possibilities of an escape by the terrorists. “Laying the ambush at such close quarters demanded a very high degree of courage and professional acumen,” according to a statement by the Defence Ministry.
Related Articles
Advertisement
In the violent exchange of fire, Corporal Nirala was hit by a volley of small arms fire. Despite being critically injured, he continued the retaliatory fire. Nirala succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds. The gunfight resulted in the killing of six terrorists. “Corporal Nirala exhibited most conspicuous gallantry in fighting with terrorists and made supreme sacrifice,” it added.