This is the story of a National Hero to whom no body knows too much about him. On the eve of this Independence Day, I just want to share a story from the battle ground of 1971 India-Pakistan War.
A story which I thought that everybody should knows, a story which has to be taught in School books, a story of a young man who is really a daring person.
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3rd December 1971
This was the date of official declaration of 1971 war between India and Pakistan. Pakistan's fighter jet planes had attacked on Indian borders. A very young, handsome person had just joined the Indian Army in 1967 at the age of 17. He joined NDA (National Defence Academy) in 1967. He was in under training in 17 Poona Horse where the fighter jets of Pakistan had attacked.
He did not want to leave this opportunity and wanted to become a part of this war. For this he applied for special permission to the top official authorities. He was still under training. The top authorities accepted his demand and allow him to join the battlefields but on one condition. He has to proved that he was perfectly trained and ready for this war. He gave all his test regarding his permission and passed. He joined his battalion in Shakargarh sector of Punjab as the 2nd lieutenant in command at the age of 21.
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Shakargarh Tehsil is situated on the border of India and Pakistan. It is the most strategic locations for Armies because it is the only single road which leads from Punjab to Jammu Kashmir. It is the fastest route to reach J&K. In 1947, our Indian Army take this route to reach J&K and liberate the Srinagar from the terrorist of Pakistan. The war of 1971 was on its peak. The intelligence reports tells Indian Authorities that Pakistanis wants to attack on Shakargarh sector and cut the Kashmir from rest of India.
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Indian Army make their plans after getting this information. They make a full proof plan-
- Make a bridge over the Basantar river which is tributary of Ravi and flows between the two countries.
- Clear the land mines
- Take all the Poona Horse tanks safely in the enemy zone
- Make a surprise attack on enemy in his zone
They work as per their plan. But when they were clear the landmines, the Pakistan 13 lancer had attacked. In that hurry-skurry situation, only three tanks had crossed the bridge. Rest were remains in Indian zone. These three tanks were now in front of the 14 T-55 tanks of Pakistan. The fight was really hard for them.
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These three tanks were manned by
- Captain V Malhotra
- Lt. Avtar Singh Ahlawat
- 2nd Lt. in command
All these three decided not to look back and took all these 14 tanks of Pakistan head on. The fight had just start.
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Battle of 14 v/s 3
All set go and within some time 3 Pakistani tanks were destroyed. All three Indian tanks played well at the initial phase of fight. No chance for the opposition. Now the battle was between 11 v/s 3.
Captain's gun gave in and he retaliate. Another one down from Pakistan's side. Within some moments 4 more tanks were destroyed.
Now the fight was between 7 v/s 3.
Suddenly Captain Malhotra gave up and he retreat in Indian zone. Now it becomes 7 v/s 2.
Lt. Ahlawat take them head on. But a shell hit him. He was forced to retreat. Meanwhile 3 Pakistani Tanks were destroyed. Now the battle becomes 4 v/s 1.
Remaining tanks were manned by our 2nd Lt. in command. He decided to take them head on. But a shell again hit his tank. His tank was on fire and he badly injured. He got a message from his field commander to abandon the fight and retreat. And he said-
''No Sir! I will not leave my tank. My main gun is still active and i take those bastards head on''
He keep going and he destroyed two Pakistani tanks. Now this was become 2 v/s 1.
He point his aim and took his shot and hit the rest two. The crew of those tanks ran away from battleground. There was no indication from Pakistani commander. Suddenly the atmosphere becomes silent. With this silence, the battle was over and India took their winning shot from our 2nd Lt. in command.
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Our 2nd Lt. still remains in his tank. He had been taken out from his burning tank by the help of other soldiers. He doesn't looks good. His face was totally burnt. His fingers had melted. He can't even speak properly. He gave the indications of some water. His mates gave them water. He had been taken towards hospital. He definitely won the battle and also definitely lost his life at the age of 21.
After the few hours of his death, news came that Pakistan had surrendered and declared a unilateral ceasefire. India wins.
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Who is he??
He is none other than ''Arun Khetrapal"- the unsung heroes of Indian Army who lost his life, but wins his dream. He is who which desperately give something to his country - not by words but by action. He is who which most of us doesn't listen his name. He is who that didn't want any credit, any medals and any kind of appraisal. He is who which always inspire me.
2nd Lt. Arun Khetrapal who became the youngest awardee of ParamVir Chakra (later recorded by Subedar Yogendra Singh during Kargil War). Today the parade ground at NDA bear his name.
A name which is enough to be retold in the Indian History ever.
I rest my verdicts here by assuming that you should definitely search more about him. There are many unsung heroes which had been lost in the pages of Indian History.
Celebrate this independence in the name of these heroes........
~~ Jai Hind
वन्दे मातरम !!!!!!!!
