Brig ML Khetrapal father of 2 Lt Arun Khetrpal,PVC,visited Sargodha,Pakistan, before he died recently. The

narration is a very touching one:-





Brig ML Khetrapal: My son goes to Sanawar, a school up in the

Himalayas. It used to be a Military school (154 years old) and like

any old school, Sanawar has its fair share of heroes amongst its old

students. One such hero from that school that I want to write about is

2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, son of Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal.. He was

born on 14 October 1950, in Pune, Maharashtra. He was commissioned in

the 17 Poona Horse on 13 June 1971, just a few months before the

Indo-Pakistan 1971 war. The story of his heroism is as follows:



During the 1971 Indo-Pak War, the 47 Infantry Brigade, with the 17

Poona Horse under command, was ordered to establish a bridge-head

across the Basantar river in Shakargarh sector. The 47 Inf. Bde.

completed the task by 2100 hours on December 15th. It was now for the

engineers to breach the Pakistani mine-fields and make a safe lane for

the induction of the 17 Poona Horse in support of the bridge-head.

While the engineers were half way through their task, the Indian

troops at the bridge-head reported alarming activity of the Pakistani

armour.



They requested immediate tank support. But the mine-field had been

cleared only partially by that time. At this critical juncture, the 17

Poona Horse decided to push through the mine-field come what may. By

first light on December 16th, the regiment established a link-up

between the armour and the infantry at the bridge-head.



At 0800 hours, the Pakistanis made a counter-attack with an armoured

regiment, under the cover of a smoke-screen. The target was the

regimental pivot at Jarpal. As the Indians troops were heavily

outnumbered, the Commander of 'B' Squadron requested reinforcement. At

that time, 2nd Lt. Khetarpal was positioned close to the squadron with

his troops in two tanks. He answered the call and moved out to face

the Pakistani attack. On the way, his troops came under fire from

Pakistani strong points and recoilless gun nests, in the bridge-head

zone.



2nd Lt. Khetarpal fiercely attacked these strong-points, over-ran

Pakistani defences and captured many Pakistani soldiers and recoilless

guns at gun point. During one of these attacks, the commander of his

second tank was killed on the spot leaving him alone. But he continued

attack on the Pakistani strongholds single-handed, until all the

Pakistani positions were overwhelmed. He then raced to the 'B'

Squadron position. By the time he reached there, the Pakistani tanks

were on the retreat. He pursued and destroyed one of these tanks. The

'B' Squadron Commander could persuade him to fall back in line after

great difficulty.



The Pakistanis soon reformed for a second attack. This time they chose

the sector held by 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal and two other Officers, for

the main attack. The Pakistani employed a complete armoured squadron

against these three tanks in order to achieve a breakthrough. A fierce

tank battle followed. As many as ten Pakistani tanks were destroyed

and of these 2nd Lieutenant Khetarpal alone destroyed four.. In the

thick of the battle, two of the three Indian tanks became

casualties-one was hit and another suffered mechanical failure.



The third tank, which was 2nd Lt. Khetarpal's tank, also received a

shot and burst into flames. The Commander of the tank troops ordered

2nd Lt. Khetarpal to abandon the burning tank. But realising the

useful role of his tank in preventing a breakthrough he communicated

the following message to his Commander: "No Sir, I will not abandon my

tank. My gun is still working and I will get these guys."



Then he set about destroying the remaining Pakistani tanks. The last

Pakistani tank which he shot was barely 100 metres from his position.

At this stage his tank received a second hit. The brave Officer met

his death denying the Pakistani the intended breakthrough. For his

conspicuous gallantry in the face of the Pakistani, 2nd Lt. Arun

Khetarpal was honoured with the highest wartime gallantry medal, the

Param Vir Chakra, posthumously.



He was the youngest Indian to win this highest award. The

Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, nearly 38 years ago is history for most of

us.



However a strange sequel was to follow for the Khetarpal family.



Many years later, India and Pakistan established 'people to people'

contacts between both the nations. This was also known as 'Twin Track

Diplomacy'.



Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, father of 2nd Lt. Khetarpal started

receiving messages that a certain Brigadier from the Pakistani army

was keen to meet him. However since he did not know this particular

Brigadier, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal did not do anything to encourage

the meeting.



In 2001, Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal now 81 years old felt a strong

desire to visit his birthplace, at Sargodha, now in Pakistan. It was a

wish that he thought that would never materialize, but when he voiced

it to some friends engaged in the Twin Track Diplomacy, they arranged

all his papers, visas, travel and staying arrangements in Pakistan so

that he could go for the visit.



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,

all the members of his family and his many servants. As the countdown

for the departure progressed, the bonds of friendship between the

guests and the host grew stronger and stronger. 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.



However what was certain was that he would always remember the

hospitality, warmth and affection of this Pakistani family who treated

him as someone very very special.



Finally at 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 is only later that I got to know how young he was and who he was.

We are trained to fight and kill without mercy or remorse. We do in

war what we have to without thinking too much about it. However we are

humans too and sometimes war takes a personal turn and makes an impact

on the inner self..



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 faced with the person who killed his son, and also to be

enjoying his hospitality and being his guest is a confusing feeling.

However Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal immediately realized that Brigadier

Naser was genuinely wanting, in some way to compensate for something

that he did only in the line of duty. The soldier must do what he has

been trained to do unhesitatingly, and with full resolve and

determination.



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.



Khawja Mohammad Naser, 13 Lancers

02 March 2001

Lahore, Pakistan