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Dec 16th 1971: Pakistani Army equipped with Patton tanks launched their counter attack against 17 Poona Horse (armored regiment) during the Battle of Basantar (in the the Shakargarh Bulge between the southern part of Jammu & Kashmir & Punjab.)
When the squadron commander asked for reinforcements over the radio Khetarpal rushed with his Centurion tank into battle. He assaulted the enemy's strong points, physically overrunning them.
In the course of this action, the commander of one of the tanks in his troop was killed, but Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly.
In the ensuing tank battle, Khetarpal with his 2 remaining tanks fought off and destroyed 10 tanks (of which Khetarpal personally destroyed 4 tanks).In the fight Khetarpal’s tank was hit and it burst into flames and he was severely wounded.
Khetarpal was ordered to abandon his tank but realising that the enemy was still pressing their attack in this sector refused to do so.
His final words over the radio to an officer who had ordered him to abandon his burning tank were: "No, Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working and I will get these bas…. “
In spite of grievous wounds and his own tank burning, he continued engaging the enemy tanks and destroyed one more. However his tank was hit a second time as a result of which he died but the enemy was denied the breakthrough that they were looking for.
For his unmatched valor on the battlefield he was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously. At age 21 he became the youngest soldier ever to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
In his honor the parade ground at NDA (National Defence Academy) is named Khetarpal Ground.
#JaiHind
In his honor the parade ground at NDA (National Defence Academy) is named Khetarpal Ground.
#JaiHind
