Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal was an Indian Army officer who participated in the 1971 Indo-Pak War on India’s western border. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra in recognition of his exemplary gallantry in the face of adversity. He was martyred on 16 December 1971 after being seriously injured in a tank battle during the Battle of Basantar.
Wiki/Biography
Lieutenant Arun Khetapal was born on Saturday, October 14, 1950 in Pune, Maharashtra (he was 21 years old at the time of his death). After the partition of India, his family migrated to India from Sargodha (now in Pakistan).
Arun Khetarpal is a little boy with his brother, mother and father
At a young age, he was admitted to the prestigious Lawrence School in Sanawar, Himachal Pradesh, where he distinguished himself as an outstanding student, not only with good academic performance but also as an excellent athlete, Therefore he was appointed as a school principal.
Arun Khetarpal (left) and his brother Mukesh Khetarpal at Lawrence School, Sanawa
He was inclined to join the military because he came from a family with a rich military history, with his father, grandfather and great-grandfather all serving in the military. In June 1967, after completing his studies, Arun Khetarpal joined the prestigious National Defense Academy.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal received training at NDA
He excelled in training and was appointed squadron cadet leader of the Foxtrot squadron.
Arun Khetarpal and his classmates at NDA
After completing his training at the National Defense Academy, Arun joined the Indian Military Academy and was eventually enlisted in the Army on June 13, 1971.
Arun Khetarpal in NDA’s fainting parade
family
Parents and siblings
parents
His father’s name is Brigadier ML Khetarpal, who served in the Indian Army Corps of Engineers, and his mother’s name is Maheshwari Khetarpal, who is also a trained nutritionist from Lady Irwin College, Delhi.
Brigadier ML Khetarpal and Mrs. Maheshwari Khetarpal, parents of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC
brother
His brother, Mukesh Khetarpal, works as a management consultant in Delhi.
Mukesh Khetarpal (center), brother of Arun Khetarpal
address
His permanent address is C-31, Anand Niketan, New Delhi, Delhi – 110021, India.
Signature/Autograph
Profession
Arun Khetarpal served in the 17th Pune Cavalry Regiment of the Armored Corps as a second lieutenant. He was undergoing the Young Officers Course, a compulsory course for all new enlisted officers, when war with Pakistan broke out, before he was recalled to rejoin the battalion.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal (first from left) and his colleagues
Arun Khetarpal has been transferred to Jammu West Zone. He was a member of the 49th Brigade of the Indian Army and participated in the famous Battle of Basantar. The brigade’s mission was to capture Shakargarh (the area adjacent to Jammu) and establish a bridgehead. On December 15, 1971, the area was occupied by Indian troops, but the tanks were unable to advance as the area was heavily mined by the retreating Pakistani troops. Engineers were then asked to clear the mines so the tanks could move. However, only halfway through, the Indian Forward Observatory observed alarming activities by the Pakistani armored forces. The 17th Poonama decided to move forward regardless of the mines and rejoined the rest of the advancing brigade.
Beginning of the armored offensive
On December 16, 1971, Pakistani tanks from 13 Lancers launched the first counterattack. They were much more numerous and equipped with the then most advanced American-made Patton tanks, so the attacking B Squadron of the 17th Poona Cavalry requested immediate reinforcements.
Arun Keitapal comes to the rescue
Arun Khetarpal, who was part of A Squadron stationed nearby, immediately responded to the distress call from B Squadron. Arun Khetapal launched a fierce counterattack against the incoming Pakistani tanks, effectively defeating the first wave of armored assault on the Indian positions. During the battle, one of the tank commanders of Allen’s squadron, Lieutenant Aravat, was wounded and another tank commander was killed. Despite heavy casualties, the Pakistanis continued to rally and fight back. On the battlefield, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal commanded alone and led the remaining two tanks of the squadron to charge towards the enemy tanks, destroying 10 Pakistani tanks and effectively suppressing another Pakistani attack.
Amin, a Pakistani Army officer and Major (retired) of the Pakistan Armored Forces, said,
The only time a breakthrough might have occurred was in the afternoon when 13 Lancers from both squadrons attacked together, but a heroic last-ditch effort by Lieutenant Arun Khetapal of Poonamar, who fought alone, averted danger. “
Major General Raj Mehta wrote in his book “Immortal Heroes – 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal”:
What can we say about the passing of a shy, humble man who embodied Chet Ward’s motto? He was handsome, brave and heartwarming; he was an inspiring leader and the Fakhr-e-Hind of his beloved country, India? He was posthumously admired by his opponents in Pakistan’s armored forces. There is so much more that can be said and written about this bravest young officer who willingly and selflessly gave up his tomorrow for the priceless heritage of Namu, Namak and Nishan of the Indian Army. So, dear readers, go home and tell them of his deeds and say with pride and enthusiasm that 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, PVC (posthumous), by his military skills, immortal spirit and by his death, brought Comes a rare victory. Tributes to his distinguished Cavalry Regiment “Punarma” and military personnel even though his life blood left his shattered body after he engaged and destroyed the 4th Pakistani Patton Tank.
Awards
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal was awarded India’s highest gallantry award – the Param Vir Chakra – for his courage during the Basantar Tank Battle.
Lieutenant Lieutenant Arun Khetapal’s mother Maheshwari Khetapal receives the Param Vir Chakra from President VV Giri
Honor
- In memory of Arun Khetapal, the parade ground of the National Defense Academy was named after him and the auditorium of the Indian Military Academy was named after the fallen soldier.
Keitapal Parade Ground at National Defense Academy
- The Centurion tank he used in the Battle of Basantar has been restored and is now installed at the Armored Forces Center at Ahmednagar.
#famagusta: Centurion tank #punama commander #legend 2nd lieutenant #arunkhtarpal Destroyed 8 Parker Patton tanks during the Battle of Basantar in 1971. I feel privileged, privileged and blessed to be able to stand in front of it. With the current commander.The story will happen soon @IndiaToday #IndiaFirst pic.twitter.com/7oxOgWG1f2
— GAURAV C SAWANT (@gauravcsawant) October 13, 2018
- A statue of him is built at Lawrence School in Sanawar, and the school stadium is named after him.
Sanawa Lawrence School Keitapar Stadium
die
When Second Lieutenant Arun Hetapal led two other tanks in a counter-assault, his tank was hit by fire from an enemy Patton tank, which crippled the tank and caused his tank to become immobile and burst into flames. Allen and his tank driver were seriously injured. Despite the difficulties, Allen managed to destroy three enemy tanks just a hundred meters away from him. Ordered to abandon the burning tank and seek safety, he responded:
No sir, I’m not giving up my tank. My main guns are still working, I’m going to take out these bastards. “
As Arun moved the tank turret to fire at the Pakistani tanks, Arun’s tank was hit a second time by a tank of the Pakistani squadron commander Major Khwaja Muhammad Nasser (later Brigadier General), resulting in Arun’s death on the battlefield. In the end, he sacrificed himself while preventing the breakthrough of the Pakistani armored column.
Telegram announcing the death of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal
Facts/Trivia
- Lieutenant Arun Khetapal’s great-grandfather had served in the Sikh Army and fought against the British when they wanted to capture Punjab.
- After the war, Pakistani commanders, impressed by Arun’s bravado, met their Indian counterparts and inquired about Arun Khetapal.
- When Arun Khetarpal’s father Brigadier ML Khetarpal and his wife visited their ancestral home of Sargodha, where they became the honored guests of Brigadier Mohammad Naser, he said:
Sir, there is something I have been wanting to tell you for years, but I didn’t know how to convey it to you. Finally, fate intervened and sent you to me as an honored guest. Over the past few days, we have grown closer, which makes my task even more difficult. This is about your son, who is of course a national hero in India. Yet, on that fateful day, your son and I were soldiers unknown to each other, fighting for the respect and safety of our respective countries. I am sorry to tell you that your son died in my hands. Arun’s courage was exemplary as he moved his tank with fearless courage and audacity without any concern for his own safety. The tank casualties were so heavy that in the end only two of us were left facing each other. We shot at the same time. It was destined that I should live and he should die. It wasn’t until later that I learned how young he was and who he was. I always thought I was going to ask for your forgiveness, but in telling this story I realized there was nothing to forgive. Instead, I salute your son for what he did at such a young age, and I salute you because I know how he grew into the young man he was. Ultimately, character and values are what matter. “
- His tank Centurion Mark 7 was called the “Famagusta”, named after the city in Cyprus where the Punama was stationed in September 1944.
- His unit “17 Poona Horse” was named “Fakhr-e-Hind” by the Pakistanis after its performance in the Sialkot theater during the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
- In an article written by Lieutenant Colonel Dilbag Singh Dabas, he stated:
After noticing that Allen was carrying Blue Patrol ceremonial clothing and golf clubs, his colleagues asked Allen why he needed these items to fight the war. The 21-year-old’s answer was classic: Sir, I am planning to go to Lahore to play golf. I’m sure there’s going to be a dinner night after we win the war, so I’ll need a Blue Patrol outfit too. ”
- Before leaving for the war in 1971, Allen’s mother told him,
Your grandfather was a brave warrior, and so was your father. Fight like a lion to the end. ”
- Aaron also plays the saxophone, an instrument, and is even a member of his NDA band.
Arun Khetarpal plays saxophone during training at the National Defense Academy
- In January 2024, there were reports that a biopic “Ekkis” based on Arun Khetarpal was in the works. Actor Agastya Nanda is said to be essaying his role in the film.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education