UNSUNG HEROES EPISODE II – THE WARRIOR PUNEKAR

जो अगणित लघु दीप हमारे

तूफानों में एक किनारे,

जल-जलाकर बुझ गए किसी दिन

माँगा नहीं स्नेह मुँह खोल

कलम, आज उनकी जय बोल।

Pune has always been the land of brave. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who shook the roots of the Mughal Empire in Western India, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj who even after being succumbed to the worst kind of torture did not bow down in front of Aurangzeb’s tyranny, Peshwa Bajirao who destroyed the dominance of Nizam-ul-Mulk and established the Maratha Power in Malwa, Bundelkhand, Gujarat while liberating the regions in Southern India. Pune was Mahatma Gandhi’s stronghold for Western India, it is here in Pune that Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Gopal Krishna Gokhale led the freedom movement from. Vinayak Damodar ‘Veer’ Savarkar started his movement from Fergusson College in Pune. Every fence and façade in the city recite the tale of Maratha valour and courage.

“सिंहीणीच्या गर्भातच सिंहांना जन्म देऊ शकतो, मराठ्यांची भूमी भ्याड निर्माण करत नाही I”

“ A lioness can only give birth to lions. The land of Marathas doesn’t produce cowards.”

So from the heart of valour I bring a story of fearlessness, patriotism and fortitude. A story of sacrifice. A story of blood. A story that was forgotten with time. Last time when I wrote the aricle about Nirmal Jeet Singh Sekhon I felt that we can transform this in a series where we recite the tales of our unsung heroes. So ladies and gentlemen fasten your seatbelts and get ready, I hereby bring you the second chapter of The Unsung Heroes Series. Here is the story of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.

DISCLAIMER : ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THE STORY ARE REAL. NOTHING HAS BEEN FICTIONALIZED. THE WRITER HAS TAKEN NO ATRISTIC LIBERTY. EACH AND EVERY SENTENCE IS A DIRECT ACCOUNT OF WHAT ENSUED IN THE BATTLEFIELD OF 1971 WAR.

THE STORY

I’m taking you back to the year of 2001. The aftermath of the bloodshed in Kargil had not yet left the minds of the masses on both sides of border. The then Vajpayee government was in talks with the United Nations in order to establish long term peace. Amidst all the ongoing chaos 81 years old Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal of the Indian Army was visiting his Alma-mater for a reunion, his college the prestigious Government College of Lahore was close to his birthplace in Sargodha, Pakistan. Brigadier Khetarpal missed his old house in Sargodha, post-independence he took refuge in the city of Pune and later joined the Indian Army in the Engineering Corps division. He wanted to see his ancestral home in Sargodha before he died. This reunion was his chance of fulfilling his last wish. University of Lahore had asked their alumni network in Pakistan to take care of guests from India. In the same process Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Naser took it upon himself that he will become guide and host to Brigadier Khetarpal.

As Brigadier Khetarpal landed on the strip of Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore he eyes were filled with tears. This Pakistan today for Brigadier Khetarpal was his birthplace and not the enemy country he had always fought against. It was not the Pakistan fighting against which he had lost his son. His son who in order to defend the honour of his land perished in the embrace of Martyrdom, his son who fought till the very last breath of his life, his son who created history on 16th December 1971, his son the twenty one year old Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal.

Arun was born in Pune, Maharashtra on 14th October 1950. Arun was a bright student since his childhood. He was excellent in both academics and sports. He attended the revered Lawrence School in the city and passed out with flying colours. Arun’s excellence can be understood from the fact that at a time when being a graduate was considered a feat in itself Arun cleared the most difficult engineering examination the IIT entrance exam with an excellent rank and also made it to the most prestigious Defence Training Institution of the country The National Defence Academy (NDA). For anyone who was looking to make money and wanted to lead a comfortable life the choice was easy, but Arun was different. He was born in a lineage of military servants. He had always been intrigued by the idea of serving the nation. His inspiration was Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore a martyr of the 65 war and recipient of India’s highest gallantry honour The Paramveer Chakra. So Arun chose NDA over IIT, and joined the academy as an Army Cadet. He belonged to Foxtrot Squadron where he was the Squadron Cadet Captain of the 38th Course. His NDA No was 7498/F/38.

तूफानों की ओर घुमा दो नाविक निज पतवार

आज सिन्धु ने विष उगला है

लहरों का यौवन मचला है

आज हृदय में और सिन्धु में

साथ उठा है ज्वार

तूफानों की ओर घुमा दो नाविक निज पतवार

It was only destiny at play that Khetarpal was commissioned in the same division as his inspiration- The 17 Poona Horse. Immediately after getting commissioned Khetarpal was ready to charge for the ongoing 1971 war along with his regiment. The 17 Poona Horse was stationed at the command of the 47th Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army in Shakargarh sector of Punjab. The region has big importance due to its geographical location and the fact that it shares border with both Kashmir and Pakistan. The action ensued for the brigade during the Battle of Basantar.

The 47th Brigade was first assigned the task of establishing a bridgehead across river Basantar. The company completed its objective on the night of 15th December 1971. Major Hoshiar Singh’s exceptional bravery had forced the Pakistani troops to retreat. By first light of 16th December the 17 Poona Regiment with all its tanks whilst clearing the heavily mined river bed reached the bridge head on first light of 16th December.

The retreating Pakistani forces were not ready to give up that easily. They planned a counter-attack strategy to capture the region. They called in their complete tank regiment the 13-Lancers equipped with deadly state-of-the-art US-made 50 ton Patton tanks. The Pakistani Lancers on 08:00 hours of 16th morning launched their heavy counter-attack. The B Squadron was heavily impacted and the squadron commander signalled his radio for reinforcements. The message was received at this end by Arun Khetarpal who was stationed at Jarpal with his Squadron. He immediately acted and decided to move in Centurion tank troop. The CO Lt. Colonel Hanut Singh also ordered his troops to defend the counter attack. The regiment survived the first wave of attacks successfully.

But the Lancers were quick to launch two more counter-attacks one after the other in succession. This counter-attack allowed the Pakistani Lancers a chance to penetrate more deeply and establish themselves. To cease their breakthrough Khetarpal himself with his tank launched a forward attack. He started firing recklessly and destroyed any tank that would come in his way. Khetarpal with just two tanks left in his regiment managed to destroy ten enemy tanks. But then Khetarpal was hit by a enemy blow and was badly injured. His tank stopped moving forward.

Looking at his dreadful state Lt. Colonel Hanut Singh asked him to retreat. But Khetarpal would not do so. He kept on fighting with a damaged tank. His last message on the radio was-

"No, Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these bastards."

हिमाद्रि तुंग श्रृंग से,

प्रबुद्ध शुद्ध भारती।

स्वयंप्रभा समुज्ज्वला,

स्वतंत्रता पुकारती॥

अमर्त्य वीर पुत्र हो, दृढ प्रतिज्ञ सोच लो।

प्रशस्त पुण्य पंथ है, बढ़े चलो बढ़े चलो॥

The showdown came to a point where one tank was left in each regiment at a distance less than 100 meters apart. Both fired. However the Pakistani officer jumped away well in time, Khetarpal was not able to do so. A second blow to the tank lead to Khetarpal’s death.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was twenty one years old when he was martyred in the Battle of Basantar. For his exceptional valour, courage and his greatest sacrifice he was awarded the Paramveer Chakra India’s highest gallantry honour posthumously. His Paramveer Chakra citation was as follows-

Thiry years down the line his father M.L. Khetarpal was visiting his hometown in Sargodha. He was accompanied by Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Naser who had been his guide throughout his visit. After an overwhelming welcome in Sargodha and a great reunion with his friends he was ready to go back to India. But Naser insisted that he should stay a few more days with him in his house. M.L Khetarpal couldn’t say no to this generous offer. For three days he enjoyed the hospitality of Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Naser’s home. However Brigadier sensed some uneasiness amongst his family members. On the third and final day Brigadier Khawaja Mohammad Naser asked Brigadier Khetarpal to go out for a walk. While walking he said, “ Your son, he must be an inspiration for all the Indians.” Brigadier Khetarpal gave a silent nod in agreement. Then Brigadier Naser said something which shook Brigadier Khetarpal’s world. He 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." ( Official Account )

Brigadier Khetarpal not knowing how to react stayed silent. On one hand he was filled with some kind of anger that ensued from the fact that he was for the past week living with his son’s killer and on the other hand was the pride of the fact that an enemy soldier was singing his son’s tale of bravery.

Next day Brigadier Khetarpal left for India. After coming back he received a courier and a note. The note 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 counterattack 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.

Khawaja Mohammad Naser, 13 Lancers, 2 March 2001, Lahore, Pakistan.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his sacrifice was a story of exceptional courage and valour. However it is only unfortunate that many of us don’t know anything about him. It is important that we tell these tales to our friends, in future to our children and to their children, just to ensure that the tale of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal remains eternal.

I’ll Soon come again with a third episode, until then Tata and Bye Bye.

झंझा की घोर झकोर चली,

डालों को तोड़-मरोड़ चली,

पेड़ों की जड़ टूटने लगी,

हिम्मत सब की छूटने लगी,

ऐसा प्रचण्ड तूफान उठा,

पर्वत का भी हिल प्राण उठा।