New Delhi. One name in the history of the Indian Army is that of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, who became immortal by making the supreme sacrifice for the country at the age of just 21. His bravery in the Battle of Basantar in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 not only inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy but also earned him India’s highest wartime honour, the Param Vir Chakra. Arun Khetrapal was born on 14 October 1950 in Pune, Maharashtra. His family has been associated with the army for generations. His great grandfather was in the Sikh Khalsa Army and fought with the British in the Battle of Chillianwala. The grandfather fought against the Turks in the First World War, while the father was Brigadier M.L. Khetrapal fought in World War II and 1965. Since childhood, Arun had values of patriotism and courage. He studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar. Selected in National Defense Academy (NDA). After completing training from the Indian Military Academy (IMA), he was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse Regiment on 13 June 1971.
Just six months after the commission, the India-Pakistan war broke out on 3 December 1971. At that time Arun was doing Young Officers Course in Ahmednagar, but as soon as he heard the news of the war, he reached the front. The Indian Army had built a bridgehead near Basantar river in Shakargarh sector. On 16 December 1971, the Pakistani Army launched a strong counter attack with its armored regiments equipped with Patton tanks. The Indian position was critical as the enemy’s numbers and tanks were greater.
The commander of ‘B’ Squadron asked for help. On hearing this message on the radio, Arun Khetrapal voluntarily came forward with his troop and helped. There was firing from strong enemy positions and recoilless guns on the way. Arun attacked bravely, crushed the positions and captured many enemy soldiers. During this time, the commander of a tank of his troop was martyred, but Arun did not stop.
Then Pakistan attacked with an entire armored squadron. There were many enemy tanks in front of only three Indian tanks. A fierce tank battle took place. Arun single-handedly destroyed 10 Pakistani tanks with his Centurion tank named ‘Famagusta’, four of which he personally destroyed. When his tank was damaged and caught fire, the commander ordered him to abandon the tank. But Arun did not leave his post and stood firm till the end.
During this time, his tank was completely destroyed by enemy firing and Arun attained martyrdom. Due to his bravery the Pakistani attack stopped and the victory of the Indian Army was confirmed. This battle, known as the ‘Battle of Basantar’, was one of the largest tank battles of the 1971 war. For his martyrdom, Arun was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
Pakistani Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Naser, who fired the last shell at Arun’s tank, later met Arun’s father and said that Arun had destroyed many of his tanks. This was an honor among the soldiers.
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