During
the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the 17 Poona Horse was assigned to the command of the
47th Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army. Through the duration of the conflict,
the 47th Brigade saw action in the Shakargarh sector in the Battle of Basantar.
Among
the tasks set for the 47th Brigade was to establish a bridgehead across the
River Basantar. By 2100hr of 15 December, the brigade had captured its
objectives. However, the place was extensively mined, which prevented the
deployment of the tanks of the Poona horse, and the engineers clearing the
mines were halfway through their tasks when Indian troops at the bridge-head
reported alarming activity of the enemy armour, asking for immediate armour
support. It was at this critical juncture that the 17 Poona Horse decided to
push through the mine-field. The regiment was able to establish a link-up
between the armour and the infantry at the bridge-head by first light the next
day.
At
0800hr on 16 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 Jarpal. Heavily outnumbered against Pakistani armour and infantry, the
commander of the "B" Squadron called for urgent reinforcements. This
call was taken up by 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, stationed close to the
squadron, with his detachment of two tanks and troops. Khetarpal wheeled 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 and even
captured some of the enemy infantry and weapon crews at pistol-point! However,
the commander of the second tank was killed in this attack. Alone in charge,
Khetarpal continued his attack on the enemy strongholds until he had
overwhelmed the Pakistani positions Emboldened by the success he pursued the
retreating Pakistani troops and artillery gunning down a Pakistani tank in the
process. However Pakistani forces regrouped and
counterattacked. In the ensuing tank battle ten enemy tanks were hit and
destroyed of which Khetarpal accounted for four.
The
skirmish however took its toll on the Lieutenant as he was hit by enemy fire,
but instead of abandoning the tank he fought on destroying one final tank
before he was finally overwhelmed. However, his actions had denied a vital
breakthrough for Pakistani forces and instead put the Indians in a stronger
position in the Shakargarh bulge. 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 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 he was mortally injured. The
officer met his death denying the enemy the intended breakthrough. Khetarpal's
tank "Famagusta" was restored and is on display at the Indian Army's
Armoured Corps School in Ahmed Nagar.
For
his conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, Khetarpal was honoured with
the highest wartime gallantry medal, the Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.
Tributes:
1.
Indian Army has produced many brave officers who have laid down their lives in
the line of duty. But the bravery of Khetarpal has indeed been the highest
point in the history of the Army. His bravery is deeply embeded in the ethos of
the Army and is evident from the numerous
buildings named after him at IMA and NDA, higher than any other officer of the
Indian Army.
2.
The IMA has its auditorium named Khetarpal and the all passing out officers
take oath in front of this building.
3.
The IMA also has one of the main entrance gate named Khetarpal.
4.
The main ground at NDA is named Khetarpal Ground.
5.
The tank of Arun Khetarpal was called Famagusta Jx 202. It was restored after
the war and is kept in the Armoured Corps School, Ahmed Nagar.
6.
Famagusta's crew was Sowar Prayag Singh, the driver. Sowar Nand Singh, the
Radio Operator. Sowar Nathu Singh, the Gunner and 2/lt Arun Khetarpal, the
commander.
7.
Nand Singh was first to die. This was just before the fatal encounter with
Major Nasser. Then Arun sccumbed to his injuries. Both Prayag Singh and Nathu
Singh were badly wounded but survived and retired from the army as Hon.
Captains.
8.
Arun Khetarpal's mother did not get the news of his death till the 26th of
December. She had got his motorcycle serviced and his room decked up after
hearing that the war was over on the 17th December.
9.
He was cremated on the 17th of December near Samba dictrict. All his family got
was his ashes in small handkerchief.
10.
Mrs Indira Gandhi met Mrs Khetarpal, Arun's mother, after the war and told him
quote 'Aap Dhanya Hai' with moisture in her eyes.
The enemy remembers:
1.
"The only occasion when a breakthrough could have occurred was when two
squadrons of 13 Lancers attacked together in the afternoon, but a gallant last
ditch lone stand by 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal of Poona Horse averted the danger."
Maj (Retd) A. H. Amin (Pakistan Armour Corps - Columnist and Historian) .
2.
The Commander of the Pakistan tank battalion is said to have met the Indian
battalion commander after the battle and made inquiries about 2nd Lieutenant
Khetarpal's tank since he was very impressed with the gallantry of this
particular tank's commander.
3.
In 2001, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal - now 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 Khawja Mohammad Naser, who took it upon
himself to be Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal host and guide. Brigadier Naser really
went out of way to ensure that 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. Brigadier M.L.
Khetarpal was overwhelmed by the extreme kindness, deference, courtesy and
respect bestowed upon him by Brigadier Naser and by all the members of his
family and his many servants. However Brigadier Khetarpal felt that something
was amiss but could not make out what it was. Was it the long silences that
punctuated their animated conversation or was it the look of compassion in the
eyes of the women in the family? He could not make out but was sure he was
being treated as someone very special.
Finally,
on the last night before Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal's departure, Brigadier Naser
said 'Sir, there is something that I wanted to tell you for many years but I
did not know how to get through to you. Finally, fate has intervened and sent
you to me as an honoured guest. The last few days we have become close to one
another and that has made my task even more difficult. It is regarding your son
who is, of course, a national hero in India. However on that fateful day, your
son and I were soldiers, unknown to one another, fighting for the respect and
safety of our respective countries. I regret to tell you that your son died in
my hands. Arun's courage was exemplary and he moved his tank with fearless
courage and daring, totally unconcerned about his safety. Tank casualties were
very high till finally there were just two of us left facing one another. We
both fired simultaneously. It was destined that I was to live and he was to
die.
"It
was only later that I got to know how young he was and who he was. I had all
along thought that I would ask your forgiveness, but in telling the story I
realize that there is nothing to forgive. Instead I salute your son for what he
did at such a young age and I salute you too, because I know how he grew into
such a young man. In the end it is character and values that matter."
Brigadier
M.L. Khetarpal was silent as he did not know how to react. To be enjoying the
hospitality of the person who had killed his son was a confusing feeling.
However being a soldier himself he genuinely admired the chivalry of an officer
whose complete squadron was decimated by his son.
Both
the Brigadiers retired for the night deep in thought. There are never any
victors in war; both sides lose and it is the families that have to pay the
price and suffer the most. As someone once said 'Wars are created by
politicians, compounded by bureaucrats and fought by soldiers.'
The
next day photographs were taken and Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal returned back to
Delhi. Later the photos reached Delhi along with a note from Brigadier Naser
that said:
With
Warmest regards and utmost sincerity,
To: Brigadier
M.L. Khetarpal,
Father
of Shaheed Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, (who stood like an
unsurmountable rock, between the victory and failure, of the counter attack by
the 'SPEARHEADS' 13 LANCERS on 16 December 1971 in the battle of "Bara
Pind' as we call it and battle of "Basantar' as 17 Poona Horse remembers)
From: Khawja
Mohammad Naser, 13 Lancers, 02 March 2001, Lahore, Pakistan.
·
Do
we still have such parents and such youngsters in this country?
·
Do
we still want to remember their sacrifice?
·
I
don't remember any memorial for him in Pune (except the one in NDA)
·
or
any other part of our country - it has so many for worthless politicians and
their elephants........!
