Service No : IC-25067

Date of Birth : October 14, 1950

Place of birth : Pune Dist (MH)

Service : Army

Last Rank : Second Lieutenant

Unit : 17 Poona Horse

Arm/Regt : The Armoured Corps

Operation : Op Cactus Lily

Awards : Param Vir Chakra

Martyrdom : December 16, 1971

2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal PVC

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was born on 14th October 1950 in Pune into a military family. Son of Lt Col (later Brigadier) M.L. Khetarpal and Mrs Maheshwari Khetarpal, 2nd Lt Arun was the eldest of their two sons. As several generations of his family had served in the armed forces, the love for the Army life came naturally to him. His great grandfather had been in the Sikh army and fought against the British, while his grandfather had served in the British Army during World War I. He studied at the Lawrence School, Sanawar located in Kasauli hills in Himachal Pradesh and did very well in academics as well as sports. He was made the school prefect in view of his all-round performance and he lived up to this school motto, “Never Give In” even after becoming an army officer.

 

He joined the 38th Course of National Defence Academy Khadakwasla (NDA No: 7498/F/38) in June 1967. He belonged to Foxtrot Squadron and was the Squadron Cadet Captain of the 38th Course. Later on, he went to join the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse on 13 June 1971. Just six months later, the war with Pakistan broke out on 03 Dec 1971 and 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was undergoing the Young Officers’ Course at Ahmednagar at that time. He was recalled from the course and soon joined his unit to take part in the famous “Battle of Basantar” in the Shakargarh sector.

 

Indo-Pak War : 16 Dec 1971

 

During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, the 17 Poona Horse was assigned to the command of the 47th Infantry Brigade, which was involved in the Battle of Basantar in the Shakargarh sector. The Brigade had to establish a bridgehead across the River Basantar. On 15th December, the brigade had captured its objective, although, it was filled with extensive mines by the enemy, preventing deployment of tanks of Poona Horse. It was a joint operation by 17 Horse, 4 Horse(Two Armoured Regiments), 16 Madras and 3 Grenadiers. The engineers had cleared the mines halfway when the Indian troops noticed the alarming activity of the enemy armour asking for air support.  At this critical juncture, the 17 Poona Horse decided to push through the minefield. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was functioning as one of the troop commanders of "A" squadron of 17 Poona Horse under the command of Lt Col Hanut Singh. 

 

On 16 December, Pakistani armour launched the first of their counter-attacks under the cover of a smokescreen at Jarpal, targeting the ‘B’ Squadron. The commander of the squadron urgently called for reinforcements. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, who was in ‘A’ squadron and was stationed close by, responded promptly, along with the rest of his regiment.  2nd Lt Khetarpal rushed to meet the Pakistani armour and launched his ferocious counterattack.  His tank was called 'Famagusta' (Named after a township in eastern Cyprus, where the unit, Poona Horse had served during WWII) and the other crew members included, Sowar Prayag Singh as the driver, Sowar Nand Singh as the radio operator and Sowar Nathu Singh as the gunner. With his troops, he was able to subdue the enemy advance with his tanks successfully. However, during the battle, the commander of the second tank Lt Ahlawat got injured. Alone in charge, 2nd Lt Khetarpal continued his attack on the enemy. But the enemy did not retreat despite heavy casualties. 2nd Lt. Khetarpal attacked the incoming Pakistani troops and tanks taking down an enemy tank in the process. However, Pakistani forces regrouped and counterattacked. In the ensuing tank battle, 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal with 2 remaining tanks fought off and destroyed 10 enemy tanks.

 

However during the fierce tank battle 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal’s tank was hit by enemy fire, but he did not abandon the tank, instead he fought on. 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 Main 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 and the shell entered into the tank through its cupola ripping his stomach. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal met a hero’s death, trying to deny the Pakistani Army the intended breakthrough. Besides him, Sowar Nand Singh too got severely injured and soon succumbed to his injuries. The enemy could not get the passage it was so desperately seeking and not one enemy tank could get past 2nd Lt Khetarpal. The other tank crew members Sowar Prayag Singh and Sowar Nathu Singh were also badly wounded but survived and were captured by Pakistani troops. Both men were later given medical treatment by their Pakistani captors and survived to the end of the war when they were repatriated and subsequently retired from the Indian Army as honorary captains. 2nd Lt Khetarpal’s body and his tank “Famagusta” were later returned to the Indian army. On 17th December, 1971, 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was cremated near Samba district and his ashes were sent to his family.

 

2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” for his cold courage, unfaltering leadership and supreme sacrifice. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal at the young age of 21 yrs performed an act of courage and self-sacrifice that went far beyond the call of duty. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal is survived by his brother Shri Mukesh Khetarpal. 

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34 Comments
  • yasam thandava krishna

    2023 at 10:44 am Reply

    The narrative of the character displayed by 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal ,PVC in the 1971 indo pak war is highly inspiring..
    I wish the patriotism displayed by 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal is taught to our school children as a part of their
    Jai Hind

  • P.krishna murthy

    2023 at 10:45 am Reply

    The narrative of the character displayed by 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal ,PVC in the 1971 indo pak war is highly inspiring..
    I wish the patriotism displayed by 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal is taught to our school children as a part of their syllabus.

  • DEBASISH BANDOPADHYAY

    2023 at 10:50 am Reply

    Ja Hnd

  • Musaddiq Shah

    2023 at 10:51 am Reply

    In reply to Mukesh Khetarpal.
    Good morning sir,my name is Musaddiq Shah and I belong from Pakistan Khyber Puktoonkywah ,today I see a vlog one of our army retired Gen he tells the complete story and then your father visit to Pakistan invited by Brigr Nasir .
    Then I searched on YouTube about ur Beloved and brave Brother really he was a hero of 1971 war.he was just 21 years young guy.

  • Akshita

    2023 at 10:52 am Reply

    In reply to Mukesh Khetarpal.
    Good afternoon sir.
    We are really grateful for what your brother did for our nation.
    Salute to him .
    Tomorrow is his birthday and I would like to extend my heartfelt wishes to him.

  • Keerti Ashok

    2023 at 10:53 am Reply

    In reply to Y.s.slathia.
    I salute Arun Khetarpal for his bravery and patriotic spirit and I admire him very much for this. Our soldiers are true heroes of our nation and every Indian should be proud of their selfless services to help guard our nation from all evil enemies. Bharat Matha Ki Jai…

  • Tharuni.V

    2023 at 10:54 am Reply

    Tharuni.V
    7F
    NEW HORIZON GURUKUL
    Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was born on 14th October 1950. He always follo0wed the motto “Never Give In”. He joined the National Defence Academy in June 1967. Later on, he went to join the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse on 13 June 1971. Just six months later, the war with Pakistan broke out on 03 Dec 1971 and 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was undergoing the Young Officers’ Course at Ahmednagar at that time. He was recalled from the course and soon joined his unit to take part in the famous “Battle of Basantar” in the Shakargarh sector. On 16 December, Pakistani armour launched the first of their counter-attacks under the cover of a smokescreen at Jarpal, targeting the ‘B’ Squadron. The commander of the squadron urgently called for reinforcements. 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, who was in ‘A’ squadron and was stationed close by, responded promptly, along with the rest of his regiment. 2nd Lt Khetarpal rushed to meet the Pakistani armour and launched his ferocious counter attack. With his troops, he was able to subdue the enemy advance with his tanks successfully. However, during the battle, the commander of the second tank Lt Ahlawat got injured. Alone in charge, 2nd Lt Khetarpal continued his attack on the enemy . However during the fierce tank battle 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal’s tank was hit by enemy fire, but he did not abandon the tank, instead he fought on. 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 Main 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 and the shell entered into the tank through its cupola ripping his stomach. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal met a hero’s death, trying to deny the Pakistani Army the intended breakthrough. The enemy could not get the passage it was so desperately seeking and not one enemy tank could get past him. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was given the nation’s highest gallantry award, “Param Vir Chakra” for his cold courage, unfaltering leadership and supreme sacrifice. 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal at the young age of 21 yrs performed an act of courage and self-sacrifice that went far beyond the call of duty.

    I feel honoured to live in a country which has soo many bravehearts who have sacrificed their very own life for their motherland.I take this opportunity to salute to all the great and brave soldiers who fought for our country

    JAI HIND !!!!

  • Anonymous

    2023 at 10:56 am Reply

    Indian political leadership is always weak and unprepared , even after repeated warnings they dnt prepare . as such army and out brave soldies have to sacrifice themselves

  • Mansi

    2023 at 10:56 am Reply

    In reply to Mukesh Khetarpal.
    Martyrs never die. He is alive through each of us Indians who are breathing and living in free India. We shall ever be indebted. I am from a defence family myself and my father was in Indian Army. My respect and salute to 2nd Lt Arun Khetrapal (Paramveer Chakra Awardee) ..

  • Umar

    2023 at 10:57 am Reply

    here is a brilliant story about Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC of the Indian Army. The 21 year old made the supreme sacrifice for the Indian Army during the 1971 War with Pakistan in The Battle of Bassantar.
    But the story just begins with the gallant officer’s sacrifice.
    Thirty years later in 2001, his father, Brig M L Khetrapal, now 81 years old, decided to visit his birthplace in Sargodha, Pakistan. At the airport itself, he was met by a certain Brig Khwaja Mohammed Naser, who took it upon himself to be his host and guide. Brig Naser went out of his way to ensure that Brig Khetrapal had a very satisfying and nostalgic visit to his old home in Sargodha and then insisted that he stay with him as his personal guest at his home.
    Brig Khetrapal was overwhelmed by the kindness and courtesy bestowed upon him by the entire family. He was treated with utmost respect and deference and then on the night before his departure, Brig Khwaja came up to him and confided.
    “Sir, there is something I wanted to tell you for many years, but could not get the opportunity. It is regarding your son Arun. I am the man who killed him.”
    “On that night of 16 December 71, I was leading the counter attack of 13 LANCERS against the Indian bridgehead at Basantar. Your son was on the opposite side, standing like a rock. His courage was exemplary. In the battle, tank casualties were high. Finally it was just the two of us in our tanks facing each other just 200 meters apart. We both fired simultaneously. Yet it was destined that I was to live and he was to die.”
    “It was only later, when your son became a national hero, that I realized who was the brave opponent facing me and how young he was. We were both soldiers doing our duty for our nations. I salute your son for what he did. I salute you too, Sir, because seeing you, I know where he received the values that made him such a courageous young man.”
    Brig Khetrapal was shaken. To be faced with the man who killed his son and hearing it all revealed would have hurt, but he was a soldier himself and realized that what Brig Khwaja had done was just a soldier’s act in the line of duty. He sat silent for a while, then walked up to his son’s opponent, shook hands and embraced him lightly. No words were spoken, none were really needed.
    The next day photographs were taken, and Brig Khetrapal was escorted and seen off at Lahore Airport by his gracious host. Two weeks later, the photographs of his visit reached him at his Delhi address, along with a personal note from Brig Naser.
    “With warmest regards and utmost sincerity to Brig M L Khetrapal, father of Shaheed 2 Lt Arun Khetrapal, PVC who stood like a unsurmountable rock between the victory and failure of the counter attack by the SPEARHEADS – 13 LANCERS on 16 Dec 1971”
    ~ Brig Khwaja Mohammed Naser, 13 LANCERS,
    Lahore, Pakistan.

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