CITATION : IC-25067 2LT ARUN KHETARPAL

(a) Date/Period covered by the citataion - 16 Dec 1971.

(b) Place of action - Western Sector.

(c) Qualifying act.

On 16 Dec 1971, the Squadron Commander of B Sqn, The Poona

Horse asked for reinforcements as the Pakistan armour, which was superior
in strength, counter-attacked at JARPAL, in the SHAKARGARH sector. On
hearing this transmission, 2Lt Arun Khetarpal who was in `A’ Sqn,
voluntarily moved along with his troop, to assist the other squadron. En-
route while crossing the BASANTAR river, 2Lt Arun Khetarpal and his troop
came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still
holding out. Time was at a premium, and as a critical situation was
developing in the B Sqn sector, 2Lt Arun Khetarpal, threw caution to the
winds and started attacking the impending enemy strong points by literally
charging them, over running the defence works with his tanks and capturing
the enemy infantry and weapon crews at pistol point. In the course of one
such daring attack, one tank commander of his troop was killed. 2Lt Arun
Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was
overcome and he broke through towards the B Squadron position, just in
time to see the enemy tanks pulling back after their initial probing attack on
this squadron. He was so carried away by wild enthusiasm of battle and the
impetus of his own headlong dash that he started chasing the withdrawing
enemy tanks and even managed to shoot and destroy one. Soon thereafter,
the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack and this
time they selected the sector held by 2Lt Arun Khetarpal and two other
tanks as the point for their main effort. A fierce tank fight ensued; ten enemy
tanks were hit and destroyed of which 2Lt Arun Khetarpal personally
destroyed four, just then 2Lt Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was
asked to abandon his tank but he realised that the enemy, though badly
decimated was continuing to advance in his sector of responsibility and if he
abandoned his tank the enemy would break through, he gallantly fought on
destroying another enemy tank. At this stage his tank received a second hit
which resulted in the death of this gallant officer.
 2Lt ARUN KHETARPAL was dead but he had, by his intrepid valour
saved the day; the enemy was denied the break through he was so
desperately seeking; not one enemy tank got through.

2Lt ARUN KHETAPAL had shown the best qualities of leadership,

tenacity of purpose and a will to close in with the enemy. This was an act of
courage and self sacrifice far beyond the call of duly.