Arun Khetarpal
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Arun Khetarpal | |
|---|---|
| (14 October 1950 - 16 December 1971) | |
 |
|
| Place of birth | Pune |
| Place of death | Shakargarh Sector |
| Rank | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit | POONA HORSE (17 HORSE) (IC 25067) |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Basantar |
| Awards | Param Vir Chakra |
2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (14 October 1950 - 16 December 1971) born in Pune, Maharashtra joined the 17 Poona Horse of the Indian Army on 13 June 1971. He died a martyr after a valiant fight at the Battle of Basantar during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour.
Contents |
[edit] Military Action
On 16 December, as Indian forces were forcing their way across the Basantar river and bridging it, Pakistan launched a counter attack. 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his men decided to launch right into the attackers. With his troop he was able to run over the enemy advance with his tanks and even captured some of the enemy infantry and weapon crews at gunpoint. Emboldened by the success he pursued the retreating Pakistani troops and artillery gunning down an Pakistani tank in the process. However Pakistani forces regrouped and counterattacked. In the ensuring tank battle ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal accounted for four. The skirmish however took its toll on the Lieutenant as he was hit by enemy fire, but instead of abandoning the tank he fought on destroying one final tank before going down in a blaze of glory. He had thus denied a vital breakthrough for Pakistani forces and instead put the Indians in a stronger position in the Shakargarh bulge.
His final words over the radio to a superior officer who had ordered him to abandon his burning tank were, "No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My gun is still working and I will get these bastards." Then he set about destroying the remaining enemy tanks. The last enemy tank, which he shot, was barely 100 metres from his position. At this stage his tank received a second hit. The brave Officer met his death denying the Pakistani Army the intended breakthrough.
For his conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.
The Commander of the Pakistan tank battalion is said to have met the Indian battalion commander after the battle and make enquiries about 2nd Lieutenant Khetarpal's tank since he was very impressed with the gallantry of 2nd Lieutenant Khetarpal.
[edit] Citation
The citation for the Param Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
On 16 December 1971, the Squadron Commander of ‘B’ Squadron, the Poona Horse asked for reinforcement as the Pakistani Armour which was superior in strength, counter attacked at Jarpal, in the Shakargarh Sector. On hearing this transmission, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was in ‘A’ Squadron, voluntarily moved along with his troop, to assist the other squadron. En route, while crossing the Basantar River, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his troop came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still holding out. Time was at a premium and as critical situation was developing in the ‘B’ Squadron sector, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, threw caution to the winds and started attacking the impending enemy strong points by literally charging them, overrunning the defence works with his tanks and capturing the enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. In commander of his troop was killed. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was overcome and he broke through towards the ‘B’ Squadron position, just in time to see the enemy tanks pulling back after their initial probing attack on this squadron. He was so carried away by the wild enthusiasm of battle and the impetus of his own headlong dash that he started chasing the withdrawing tanks and even managed to shoot and destroy one. Soon thereafter, the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack and this time they selected the sector held by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and two other tanks as the points for their main effort. A fierce tank fight ensured ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was asked to abandon his tank but he realised that the enemy though badly decimated was continuing to advance in his sector of responsibility and if he abandoned his tank the enemy would break through, he gallantry fought on and destroyed another enemy tank, At this stage his tank received a second hit which resulted in the death of this gallant officer.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was dead but he had, by his intrepid valour saved the day; the enemy was denied the breakthrough he was so desperately seeking. Not one enemy tank got through.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal had shown the best qualities of leadership, tenacity of purpose and the will to close in with the enemy. This was an act of courage and self-sacrifice far beyond the call of duty.
