Remembering Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal: The Youngest Param Vir Chakra Hero of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971

16 December 2024, Today, the nation pays homage to Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration for gallantry. On this day in 1971, during the Indo-Pakistan War, the 21-year-old officer of the Indian Army made the ultimate sacrifice in the Battle of Basantar.

 

 

Commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse on June 13, 1971, Khetarpal demonstrated unparalleled courage in the face of overwhelming odds during the Battle of Basantar. Despite being heavily outnumbered by enemy forces and operating in treacherous terrain, Khetarpal’s tank squadron thwarted Pakistan’s counterattacks, destroying multiple enemy tanks and halting their advance.

On December 16, 1971, the Battle of Basantar was at its peak. The Pakistani forces had launched a massive counterattack to break through Indian defenses and reclaim lost territory. Leading a squadron of the 17 Poona Horse, Second Lieutenant Khetarpal was tasked with defending a key bridgehead that was crucial for India’s advance.

 

 

Despite overwhelming odds and relentless enemy fire, Khetarpal’s tank squadron held its ground. Demonstrating remarkable bravery, he destroyed multiple enemy tanks with precision, including a ferocious one-on-one duel with a Pakistani tank commander. Even after his tank was critically damaged, Khetarpal refused to abandon his position. Severely injured, he continued to engage the enemy until his tank was engulfed in flames. His final stand not only stalled the enemy’s advance but ensured a decisive victory for India.

Second Lieutenant Khetarpal’s valour at Basantar earned him the highest honour, the Param Vir Chakra, awarded posthumously.