Arun Khetarpal: Difference between revisions

'''Arun Khetarpal''', PVC (14 October 1950 – 16 December 1971) was an Indian armyofficer and a Tank commander, who is recognized as the Indian tank ace of aces, credited with 10 confirmed tank kills. A posthumous recipient of India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, which he was awarded for his valour in face of the enemy. He was killed in action in the Battle of Basantarduring the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 where his actions earned him the PVC.

=== Early life ===

[[File:Param Vir Chakra.png|left|frameless|233x233px]]

Attending St. Columba's School, Delhi and The Lawrence School, Sanawar, he distinguished himself both as an able student and sportsman and was the school prefect. Khetarpal joined the National Defence Academy in June 1967. He belonged to Foxtrot Squadron where he was the Squadron Cadet Captain of the 38th Course. Under his watch, Foxtrot Squadron became the champions. His NDA No was 7498/F/38. He subsequently went on to join the Indian Military Academy. In his final term at the Indian Military Academy, he was given the privilege of carrying the President's colours. On 13 June 1971, Khetarpal was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse.

=== Battle of Basantar ===

Several modern defence reports — notably a detailed field account published by *ThePrint* — document the presence and contribution of Sowar Parag (Prayag) Singh, Sowar Nand Singh and Sowar Nathu Singh of Hodson’s Horse (4th Horse), who were operating in coordination with the troop that included 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal during this phase of the battle. According to these accounts, Parag Singh relayed real-time enemy tank movement, terrain visibility and positional cues that assisted Khetarpal’s crew in making rapid engagement decisions as Pakistani Patton tanks attempted multiple thrusts toward the newly established bridgehead.

The same reports note that Sowar Nand Singh and Sowar Nathu Singh, operating in adjacent supporting tanks, maintained coordinated fire and relayed movement cues while holding their positions under heavy shelling. Their contributions, alongside those of Parag Singh, formed part of the broader armoured resistance that enabled Khetarpal’s troop to counter repeated enemy armour assaults. All three crewmen continued to provide supporting fire and battlefield assessments until their tanks were disabled by direct hits during the height of the battle. Although their actions do not appear prominently in official citations, independent war correspondence identifies Parag Singh, Nand Singh and Nathu Singh as “unsung crewmen” whose efforts contributed to stabilising the situation during the engagement.

=== Unsung crew members ===

According to these reports, Parag Singh provided rapid assessments of enemy tank positions, visibility conditions and local terrain, which contributed to the situational awareness of the troop. Sowar Nand Singh and Sowar Nathu Singh, operating in adjacent supporting tanks, are noted for maintaining coordinated fire, relaying movement cues and holding their positions under intense incoming fire as Pakistani armour attempted multiple thrusts toward the bridgehead.

The report notes that all three crewmen continued their support roles until their tanks were disabled by direct hits during the height of the battle. Although their actions do not appear prominently in official gallantry citations, independent war correspondence places Parag Singh, Nand Singh and Nathu Singh among the “unsung crewmen” whose efforts formed an integral component of the broader armoured resistance at Basantar.

=== Bridge-head ===

At 08:00 hours on 16th December, Pakistani armour launched the first of their counter-attacks under the cover of a smokescreen at the pivot of the 17th Poona Horse at Jharpal. At 08:00 hours, the Pakistani 13th Lancers, equipped with the then state-of-the-art US-made 50 ton Patton tanks, launched the first of their counter-attacks under the cover of a smokescreen at 'B' Squadron, The Poona Horse, at Jharpal. Its squadron commander urgently called for reinforcements. Arun Khetarpal, who was in 'A' squadron and was stationed close by with his Centurion tank troops, responded with alacrity, as did the rest of his regiment. The first counter-attack was decimated by accurate gunnery, coolness by Indian tank troops and individual tank commanders from the CO, Lt Col Hanut Singhdown to its troop leader, Arun Khetarpal. The 13th Lancers desperately launched two more squadron-level counter-attacks and managed to achieve a breakthrough.

Khetarpal rushed to meet the Pakistani armour and launched right into the Pakistani attack. With his troop, he was able to run over the enemy advance with his tanks. However, the commander of the second tank was killed in this attack. Alone in the charge, Khetarpal continued his attack on the enemy strongholds. Disappointed by his failure so far, he desperately attacked the incoming Pakistani troops and tanks, knocking out a Pakistani tank in the process. However Pakistani forces regrouped and counter-attacked. In the ensuing tank battle, Lt. Arun Khetarpal with his 2 remaining tanks bravely fought off and destroyed 10 Pakistani Patton tanks before he was shot and killed in action.

Arun Khetarpal's body was cremated on 17 December near Samba district and his ashes were sent to his family, who were unaware of his death until 26 December.

=== Param Vir Chakra Citation ===

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal had shown the best qualities of leadership, tenacity of purpose and the will to close in with the enemy. This was an act of courage and self-sacrifice far beyond the call of duty.</blockquote>

=== Legacy ===

The Commander of the Pakistan tank battalion is said to have met the Indian battalion commander after the battle and made enquiries about 2nd Lieutenant Khetarpal's tank since he was very impressed with the gallantry of this particular tank's commander.

In 2001, Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal – then 81 years old – felt a strong desire to visit his birthplace at Sargodha, now in Pakistan. At Lahore airport, Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal was met by Brigadier Khwaja Mohammad Naser, who took it upon himself to be Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal's host and guide. Brigadier Naser really went out of way to ensure Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal had a satisfying and nostalgic visit to his old house in Sargodha. Upon his return to Lahore he was once again the guest of Brigadier Naser for three days.

* Allu Sirish reprised Arun Khetarpal's character as Lt Chinmay in the 2017 Malayalam film 1971: Beyond Borders.

* A biopic on Arun Khetarpal is being directed by Sriram Raghavan displaying his courage in the 1971 Battle of Basantar. Actor Varun Dhawan was slated to play the lead role in the film, but was no longer a part of it by 2022. It was later announced actor Agastya Nanda would be playing the role of the protagonist and the film would be titled ''Ikkis'' (the Hindi word for 21, the age at which Khetarpal achieved martyrdom), with Dharmendra playing the role of his father, Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal.