The Legacy of Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, AC — The First Garud Commando to Receive India’s Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award
Date & Place of Birth: November 15, 1986 | Badladih Village, Rohtas District, Bihar
Father's Name: Shri Tej Narayan Singh Yadav Mother's Name: Smt. Malti Devi
Service Branch: Indian Air Force (Garud Commando Force)
Unit: 13 Rashtriya Rifles (Deputed under Operation Rakshak)
The Extraordinary Story of Valor On November 18, 2017, a joint offensive was launched in Chanderger village, Bandipora district (Jammu & Kashmir), based on technical intelligence regarding top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists hiding in a local residence.
Corporal Nirala positioned himself near the hideout armed with an LMG (Light Machine Gun) to seal off all escape routes. When six terrorists charged out while firing indiscriminately and throwing grenades, Corporal Nirala held his ground.
Despite being hit multiple times and critically injured, he continued firing, single-handedly neutralizing two top-tier LeT commanders and injuring two others. His actions allowed the joint force to eliminate all six terrorists on-site.
He made the supreme sacrifice on the battlefield at the age of 31.
Honor & Legacy On January 26, 2018, President Ram Nath Kovind posthumously presented India's highest peacetime military decoration, the Ashoka Chakra, to Corporal Nirala’s mother and widow.
He holds a unique place in Indian military history as:
The first member of the Garud Commando Force to receive the Ashoka Chakra.
The first airman to be awarded the Ashoka Chakra specifically for ground combat operations.
Only the third Indian Air Force personnel to receive the Ashoka Chakra (after Suhas Biswas and Rakesh Sharma).
Naman to the brave son of Bihar and a true hero of the nation. 🇮🇳