Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal was an officer in the Indian Army who participated in the India-Pakistan War of 1971 on India’s western border. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for displaying exemplary gallantry in the face of overwhelming odds. He was martyred on 16 December 1971 after being seriously injured in a tank battle during the Battle of Basantar.
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Wiki/Biography
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal was born on Saturday, 14 October 1950 (age 21 at the time of death) in Pune, Maharashtra. After the partition of India, his family came to India from Sargodha, which is now in Pakistan.
Arun Khetarpal was a young boy with his brother, mother and father
As a young child, he was admitted to the famous Lawrence School in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, where he emerged as an excellent student who was not only good in studies but also an able sportsman, resulting in his appointment Went. A school prefect.
Arun Khetrapal (left) with his younger brother Mukesh Khetrapal at Lawrence School, Sanawar
He was inclined towards joining the army as he came from a family with a rich military history background, where his father, grandfather and great grandfather all served in the army. After completing his schooling, in June 1967, Arun Khetrapal joined the prestigious National Defense Academy.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal during his training at NDA
He performed so well in his training that he was appointed Squadron Cadet Captain of his Foxtrot Squadron.
Arun Khetrapal with his classmates in NDA
After completing his training at the National Defense Academy, Arun eventually joined the Indian Military Academy before being commissioned into the army on 13 June 1971.
Arun Khetrapal during passing out parade from NDA
Family
parents and siblings
Guardian
Her father’s name was Brigadier ML Khetrapal, who also served in the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers, and her mother’s name was Maheshwari Khetrapal, who is also a dietitian trained from Lady Irwin College, Delhi.
Brigadier ML Khetrapal and Mrs. Maheshwari Khetrapal, parents of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal, PVC
Brother
His brother’s name is Mukesh Khetarpal who is working as a management consultant in Delhi.
Arun Khetrapal’s brother Mukesh Khetrapal (centre).
Address
Their permanent address is C-31, Anand Niketan, New Delhi, Delhi-110021, India.
signature/autograph
livelihood
Arun Khetrapal was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 17 Poona Horse of the Armored Corps. He was pursuing his Young Officer Course, a mandatory course that all newly commissioned officers have to undergo, when the war with Pakistan broke out, following which he was recalled to rejoin his battalion.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal (first from left) with his fellow officers
Arun Khetarpal was taken to the western area of Jammu. He was part of the 49 Brigade of the Indian Army which took part in the famous Battle of Basantar. The brigade was tasked with capturing Shakargarh, an area adjacent to Jammu, and establishing a bridgehead. On 15 December 1971, the area was captured by Indian troops, but the tanks could not advance as the retreating Pakistani army had heavily mined the area. Engineers were then called in to dispose of the mines to keep the tanks moving. But, halfway through, India’s forward observation post observed worrying Pakistani armor activity. 17 Poona Horse decided to press ahead despite the mines and meet the rest of the advancing brigade.
Beginning of armored offensive
On 16 December 1971, Pakistani tanks of 13 Lancers launched their first wave of counter-attack. They were far outnumbered and equipped with the then state-of-the-art American-made Patton tanks, so B Squadron of 17 Poona Horse, which had launched the attack, requested immediate reinforcements.
Arun Khetrapal came to the rescue
Arun Khetarpal was part of A Squadron, which was deployed nearby and immediately responded to the distress call from B Squadron. Arun Khetrapal launched a ferocious counter-attack on the attacking Pakistani tanks and effectively defeated the first wave of armored attacks on Indian positions. During the battle, Lieutenant Ahlawat, a tank commander from Arun’s squadron, was injured and another tank commander was killed. Despite suffering severe casualties, the Pakistanis would continue to regroup and counter-attack. Alone in charge on the battlefield, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal with the remaining 2 tanks of his squadron attacked the enemy tanks and effectively suppressed another Pakistani attack by destroying 10 Pakistani tanks.
A Pakistani Army officer, Major (retd) AH Amin of the Pakistan Armored Corps, said,
The only opportunity when success could have been achieved was when two squadrons of 13 Lancers attacked simultaneously in the afternoon, but the gallantry of 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal of the Poona Horse averted the danger.
In his book, A Deathless Hero – 2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Major General Raj Mehta wrote,
What can one say about a shy, self-destructive, embodiment of the Chetwode motto who died? that he was extremely handsome and brave; That he was an inspirational leader and proud of his beloved country India? His adversary, the Pakistani Armored Corps, praised him until his death. Much can be said and written about this most brave young officer, who willingly and selflessly sacrificed his tomorrow for the priceless historical legacy of the name, salt and mark of the Indian Army. So go home, dear reader, and tell them about him and say with pride and passion that 2/Lt Arun Khetrapal, PVC, (posthumously) gave birth to something rare due to his military prowess, immortal spirit and his death. Respect for his distinguished cavalry regiment, The Poona Horse and the soldiers, even though his broken body had given up his life blood after destroying his fourth Pakistani Patton tank.
award
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal was awarded India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, for displaying indomitable courage during the tank battle at Basantar.
Maheshwari Khetrapal, mother of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, received Paramvir Chakra from President VV Giri.
Respect
- To honor Arun Khetrapal, the parade ground of the National Defense Academy is named after him and an auditorium of the Indian Military Academy is named after the martyred soldier.
Khetrapal Parade Ground at National Defense Academy
- His Centurion tank, the tank in which he fought the Battle of Basantar, has been restored and is now installed at the Armored Corps Center in Ahmednagar.
#famagusta:’s Centurion Tank #poonaghoda ordered by #Story second lieutenant #Arunkhetarpal Destroyed 8 Pak Patton tanks in the Battle of Basantar in 1971. To stand before it is honored, privileged and blessed. With the present Commandant. story soon @IndiaToday #IndiaFirst pic.twitter.com/7oxOgWG1f2
– Gaurav C Sawant (@gauravcsawant) 13 October 2018
- His statue was installed at Lawrence School in Sanawar and a school stadium is also named after him.
Khetarpal Stadium of Lawrence School, Sanawar
Death
As Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal led the counter-attack with only 2 other tanks, his tank was attacked by an enemy Patton tank, disabling the tank, resulting in his tank being unable to move and catching fire. Due to this, Arun and the driver of his tank were seriously injured. Despite the adverse conditions, Arun managed to destroy three enemy tanks which were only a hundred meters away from him. He was ordered to abandon the burning tank and get to safety, to which he replied,
No sir, I will not leave my tank. My main gun is still working and I will catch these bastards.
As Arun moved the turret of his tank forward to fire at the Pakistani tank, Arun’s tank was attacked a second time by the tank of Pakistani squadron commander Major (later Brigadier) Khawaja Mohammad Nasar, killing Arun on the battlefield. Have become. Ultimately he sacrificed his life, depriving the Pakistani armored units of success.
Information about the death of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal was given on Telegram.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal’s great grandfather had served in the Sikh Army and fought against the British when they wanted to capture Punjab.
- After the war, impressed by Arun’s bravery, the Pakistani commander met his Indian counterpart and inquired about Arun Khetrapal.
- When Arun Khetrapal’s father Brigadier ML Khetrapal and his wife visited their native place Sargodha, they became the guests of honor of Brigadier Mohammad Naser, who said,
Sir, there is something I wanted to tell you for many years but I didn’t know how to reach you. At last, fate intervened and sent you to me as an honored guest. In the last few days, we have come closer to each other and this has made my job even more difficult. This is about your son, who is undoubtedly a national hero in India. However, on that fateful day, your son and I were soldiers, unknown to each other, fighting for the honor and security of our respective countries. I am sad to tell you that your son died at my hands. Arun’s courage was exemplary and he drove his tank with fearless courage and daring, without regard for his own safety. Tank casualties were very high, eventually only two of us were left to face each other. We both fired together. The destiny was that I was to live and he was to die. Only later did I find out how young he was and who he was. I always thought I would apologize to you, but while telling the story I realized that there is nothing to forgive. Instead I salute your son for what he did at such a young age and I salute you too, because I know how he became so young. Ultimately what matters is character and values.”
- Their tank, the Centurion Mark 7 tank, was known as “Famagusta”, named after the city in Cyprus where the Poona Horse was deployed in September 1944.
- His unit, 17 Poona Horse, was named ‘Fakhr-e-Hind’ by the Pakistanis after observing their performance in the Sialkot sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
- In an article written by Lieutenant Colonel Dilbag Singh Dabas he said,
Seeing Arun carrying his formal blue patrol clothes and golf clubs, his fellow officer asked Arun why he needed these to fight the war. And the 21-year-old’s reply was excellent: Sir, I plan to play golf in Lahore. And I’m sure there will be a dinner night after the war is won, so I’ll need the Blue Patrol dress too.
- Before leaving for the 1971 war, Arun’s mother had told him,
Your grandfather was a brave soldier, your father was also a brave soldier. Fight like a lion till the end.”
- Arun also played saxophone, a musical instrument and was even a part of his NDA’s music band.
Arun Khetrapal playing saxophone during training at the National Defense Academy
- In January 2024, news surfaced about the production of a biographical film titled ‘Ekkis’ based on Arun Khetrapal. It was being said that actor Agastya Nanda would be selected to play his role in the film.
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn