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
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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Vijaylaxmi.
2023 at 10:58 amSalute to him, his parents for his spirit of deshbhakti..
AnuKamini Goel
2023 at 11:08 amIn reply to Mukesh Khetarpal.
Recently read about Arun Sir…and got the goosebumps while reading his story. Unable to get over it….I am short of words to describe what I am felt…I have just one word to say….’SALUTE’
Honourpoint
2023 at 11:09 amHeroes never die,,Today my elder daughter is preparing PPT on him,,she is in 8th std.. What a valour ,what a commitment,can feel what he said to his superior,Proud of such heroes
Jai hind Jai hind ki sena
sandeep singh sanger
2023 at 11:10 amHeroes never die,,Today my elder daughter is preparing PPT on him,,she is in 8th std.. What a valour ,what a commitment,can feel what he said to his superior,Proud of such heroes
Jai hind Jai hind ki sena
Mohan
2023 at 11:12 amReal Hero, I did not forget your attitude and spirit
BHASKAR ANAND AGATE
2023 at 11:15 amGreat warrior!
Mukesh Khetarpal
2023 at 11:16 am… almost 50 years ago
Looks like yesterday…
Arun was my older brother…
Can’t forget that fateful day…
Humbled with the legacy he has left behind
Y.s.slathia
2023 at 11:17 amHe was a great warrior. He will be remembered lifetime in India. Our hearts go for him
Athira
2023 at 11:18 amIn reply to Valsan Kunnath.
Legend of IA
Salute the courage
Just 21 yrs
Incredible bravery
Rewa
2023 at 11:18 amMy eyes are filled with tears.Kuch kahun toh sooraj ko diya dikhana hoga.love and respect to the hero.I am speechless.