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Sq Ldr Jal Mistry’s deed of valor 50 years ago in the 1971 war with Pakistan was brought to mind when the officer was among the veterans honored by the union government on February 11, 2021 at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad, the 50th anniversary of the war. The war hero’s wife, Tehmi, received a memento from state governor Tamilisai Soundrarajan. Home minister Mahamood Ali and Lt Gen R. K. Singh of Sub Area Command were also present at the limited gathering.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jal, who was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra, was again recalled on February 12 at another function at the air force station in Begumpet with other veterans who participated in the 1971 war. Apart from the awardees, more than 100 veterans including former Air Chief Marshal N. A. K. Browne and former Air Marshal Maneck Madon participated in the event. Veterans were felicitated by Air Marshal I. P. Vipin. Vayu Sena Medal holder Wing Commander Gev Bamboat (retd) was invited but could not attend due to ill health.
The citation of Jal’s Vir Chakra award, which Tehmi collected in 1972 from then president V. V. Giri noted that on December 4, 1971, he carried out a counter air penetration mission to Kohat and caused extensive damage to the airfield. On December 5, when he was leading a formation of two aircraft on a strike mission to the Sakesar radar station, the aircraft flown by his second in command became unserviceable. "Undeterred, he proceeded alone on this mission. On reaching the target, he attacked the radar station in the face of heavy ground fire and succeeded in damaging and putting it off the air.”
Tehmi was 35 when Jal went missing in action. Their children Dilaawar, Zaraawar and Homaawar are now citizens of USA. "I don’t remember much about my father from my childhood, but his glorious presence has been an aspect of my entire life, each and every day. I wish I could have known him more,” says Zaraawar.
Beyniaz Edulji