New Delhi, Jan 26: Indian Air Force Commando J P Nirala, who was part of Garud unit which combated Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir's Bandipora district in November last year, was conferred with the Ashok Chakra award.

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the award to Nirala's mother and sister, as the IAF commando was martyred during the Bandipora encounter in November last year. The award ceremony was held at the Rajpath.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Indian Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat paid homage to the deceased soldiers at the Amar Jawan Jyoti.

Nirala killed three LeT terrorists before getting martyred

At least three militants were gunned down by Nirala in Bandipra's Hajin region, before getting killed in the line of duty. Among those intruders who were shot dead by him included Zaki-ur-Rahman Maki, the nephew of 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Zaki-ur-Rahman Lakhvi.

Nirala succeeded in neutralising the terrorists despite sustaining bullet injuries.

Nirala, a resident of Bihar's Rohtas district, was given full state honours by the government at his funeral. Chief minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia of Rs 11 lakh to Nirala's kin.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2018 11:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).