Nilesh Kumar Nayan, SC

Biography

Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan was born on 10 February 1986 in Udhadih village of Bhagalpur district, Bihar. He joined the Indian Air Force in 2005 and was later selected to be part of the elite Garud commando force, the specialised special-operations unit of the IAF raised in 2003 to provide dedicated protection to air bases and to undertake demanding military tasks. From early 2017 he was undergoing advanced training with the Army for counter-insurgency operations in Jammu & Kashmir, serving with the 617 Garud Flight. On 11 October 2017, intelligence sources reported the presence of militants in the Hajin area of Bandipora district. A joint operation was launched by 13 Rashtriya Rifles and a Garud team, which cordoned off the target house in the early hours of the morning. When the militants fled, firing indiscriminately and hurling grenades, the Garud commandos challenged them and gunned down two terrorists. During the fierce gun battle, Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to the Base Hospital, Srinagar, where he succumbed to his injuries and attained martyrdom.