The Real Story of Param Vir Chakra Hero Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, Played by Diljit Dosanjh in Border 2

There are war films that thunder with sound and spectacle, and then there are those rare moments when cinema pauses, looks history straight in the eye, and quietly salutes a life lived with extraordinary

courage. Border 2, which released in theatres on January 23, 2026, attempts precisely that. Starring Varun Dhawan, Diljit Dosanjh, Sunny Deol, and Ahan Shetty, Border 2 revisits the 1971 India–Pakistan war, a 13-day conflict that reshaped South Asia and led to the creation of Bangladesh. The film is not just about sweeping battlefield sequences and themes of patriotism and brotherhood, but Border 2 also finds its emotional anchor in real-life heroes—none more compelling than Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon of the Indian Air Force. Among the film’s ensemble, Diljit Dosanjh’s role stands out not just because of his screen presence, but because of the man he portrays. Sekhon is not a fictional composite or a dramatised legend. He is history—documented, honoured, and remembered as the only Indian Air Force officer to have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the country’s highest wartime gallantry award. In an industry often accused of blurring fact and fiction, Border 2 leans heavily on authenticity, and Sekhon’s story is told with a sense of reverence that feels earned.

Border 2 and the Weight of History

Set against the backdrop of the 1971 war, Border 2 goes beyond the iconic Longewala chapter made famous by the original Border. It widens the lens to show how the Army, Navy, and Air Force worked in unison during one of India’s most decisive military victories. The war ended with over 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendering—widely regarded as the second-largest military surrender after the Second World War. Rather than inventing dramatic arcs, the makers chose to honour real officers whose actions shaped the outcome of the war. Each central character in the film is rooted in an actual figure, and Diljit’s portrayal of Sekhon brings to the screen a story that, until now, has largely lived in history books and Air Force citations.

Diljit Dosanjh’s Tribute to a Fallen Hero

Ahead of the film’s release, Diljit Dosanjh shared behind-the-scenes photographs on Instagram, one of which showed him in an Indian Air Force uniform, standing beside a statue of Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon. The image struck a chord with fans. In his caption, Diljit acknowledged the responsibility of playing such a role, writing in Punjabi about the team’s hard work and calling it an honour to portray the only IAF officer to receive the Param Vir Chakra.

Who Was Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon?

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon has a special place in Indian military history. Born on July 17, 1945, in Punjab's Issewal village, Sekhon grew up in a household steeped in Air Force discipline. His father served as a Master Warrant Officer and later became an Honorary Flight Lieutenant, making the Indian Air Force a constant presence in the family’s life. On June 4, 1967, Sekhon was commissioned into the IAF and eventually joined No. 18 Squadron, famously known as the “Flying Bullets.” The squadron flew the Folland Gnat, a small but formidable fighter aircraft that earned a fearsome reputation during the 1971 war. A lesser-known fact: The Gnat was nicknamed the “Sabre Slayer” after repeatedly outperforming the larger and more powerful Pakistani F-86 Sabres in dogfights.

The Day Srinagar Came Under Fire

Sekhon’s moment of immortality came on December 14, 1971, during a coordinated Pakistani air attack on Srinagar airfield. At the time, international agreements dating back to 1948 meant that no permanent air defence fighters were stationed there. Sekhon and a small Gnat detachment were tasked with defending the valley—despite being unfamiliar with Srinagar’s tricky altitude and terrain. When six Pakistani Sabre jets swooped in, the airfield was already under attack. With the runway damaged and no formal orders to scramble, Sekhon took a decision that would define his legacy. He took off under fire, climbed into hostile skies, and engaged the enemy formation alone.

In the ensuing combat, Sekhon shot down one Sabre and set another ablaze. Outnumbered and outgunned, Sekhon didn't stop. He fought until his aircraft was hit. His actions forced the remaining enemy jets to retreat and this helped in saving the airfield from destruction. Sekhon was martyred in the process, but his mission was accomplished.

Last Words That Became Legend

As per the official records, Sekhon’s final transmission to Air Traffic Controller Flight Lieutenant Ghumman was haunting in its calmness: “I think I’ve been hit, Ghumman. Come and get them.”

Life Beyond the Uniform

Sekhon’s personal life, like many wartime stories, carried its own quiet tragedies. He was married to Manjeet, who later remarried. His parents passed away years after his death, having lived with the pride and pain that comes with such sacrifice. A statue erected in Ludhiana stands today as a reminder of a young pilot whose career was brief but incandescent.

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon on the Big Screen

In Border 2, Diljit Dosanjh approaches the role with restraint rather than melodrama. His Sekhon is confident but grounded, brave without bravado. The character’s arc forms the emotional spine of the film, introducing a new generation to a hero whose name deserves to be spoken alongside the greatest figures of India’s military history. Paired opposite Sonam Bajwa, who plays Manjeet, Diljit’s performance balances the personal and the patriotic. It reminds viewers that behind every uniform is a family, a future left unfinished, and a choice made in the blink of an eye. More than five decades later, Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon remains the only Indian Air Force officer to have received the Param Vir Chakra. That fact alone speaks volumes—not just about his bravery, but about the rarity of such moments in aerial warfare. Border 2 does more than retell a chapter of the 1971 war. It resurrects a name that deserves wider recognition and places it firmly back into public memory. In doing so, it ensures that Sekhon’s story is not confined to citations and statues but lives on where it perhaps matters most—among people who leave the theatre knowing they have witnessed the echo of a real, fearless life.