Param Vir Chakra - National Defence Academy ( NDA)

GURBACHAN SINGH SALARIA

DCC Gurbachan Singh Salaria (10th NDA ‘B’ Squadron) was commissioned into 3/1 Gorkha Rifles in December 1956. In 1961, the battalion formed part of UN troops stationed in Congo.

The UN Headquarters in Elizabethville was in imminent danger of encirclement and attack by the local gendarmerie.

A tactical roadblock had been established by the enemy. The task of clearing this roadblock was assigned to his battalion.

In the ensuing battle, Capt Salaria with two sections of Gorkhas and two Swedish APCs, led the assault against a well entrenched numerically superior enemy, supported by two armoured cars.

The final charge with bayonet and khukris completely unnerved the enemy who ran away leaving forty dead.

Hit by a burst of automatic fire in his neck and bleeding profusely, Capt Salaria continued leading the charge till he collapsed.

For this valiant act, the country’s highest war honour, the Param Vir Chakra, was bestowed upon him.

ARUN KHETARPAL

SCC Arun Khetarpal (38th NDA ‘F’ Squadron) was commissioned into 17 Horse in June 1971. In December 1971, the regiment was in the Western sector where Indian and Pakistani troops were in battle array.

On December 16, 17 Horse joined battle with the enemy’s 8 Armoured Brigade. During the course of battle, 2/Lt Arun Khetarpal, leading his troops overran the enemy, reorganised and launched a second attack with an armoured squardron.

Ten enemy tanks were destroyed in the fierce tank battle which followed, four of them by the determined young Lieutenant.

His tank then receive a direct hit and burst into flames. Though severely wounded, he refused to abandon his tank.

With grim resolve he set about the task of destroying the remaining enemy tanks. The last one he shot was barely a hundred metres away.

The Lieutenant and his tank erupted in a final blaze of glory after a second direct hit on the turret. Thus ended the glorious saga of a brave young warrior.

A grateful nation conferred upon him the nation’s supreme honour for gallantry and heroism beyond the call of duty.

MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY

Cdt Manoj Kumar Pandey (90th NDA ‘M’ Squadron) was commissioned into 1/11 Gorkha Rifles. On 2/3 July 1999, the battalion was involved in the Battle of Khalubar in the Kargil sector.

Capt Manoj Kumar Pandey led his men in exemplary fashion and displayed extraordinary valour and courage in recapturing the Juber Top from the enemy.

He accomplished the assigned task with a display of astute leadership and raw courage. He led his men from the front and surged ahead despite the hail of bullets and accurate enemy fire from a commanding position.

The assault culminated in a hand-to-hand combat wherein he was grievously injured. With utter disregard for personal safety, he led his men by example and recaptured the post before succumbing to his injuries sustained during the operation.

He was awarded the nation’s highest martial honour for upholding cherished ideals and displaying raw courage under fire.

Param Vir Chakra 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal

 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal

IC-25067 Second Lieutenant
Khetarpal , Arun, PVC (Posthumous)
17 Horse (Poona Horse)

Born : 14 Oct 1950, Pune, Maharashtra
Family settled  : New Delhi
Father : Brig ML Khetarpal (Retd)
Commission : 13 June 1971
Award date : 16 Dec1971
Religion: Hindu
Studied : Lawrence School, Sanawar; NDA, Khadakvasla

PARAM VIR CHAKRA

He was born in Pune,Maharashtra, was an officer of the Indian Army and a posthumous recipient of the Param Vir Chakra from Delhi. India's highest military decoration for valour in face of the enemy.

On 16 December 1971 when our position at Jarpal in the Shakargarh Sector was subjected to an attack by a Pakistani armoured regiment and our troops were heavily outnumbered by enemy forces, the squadron commander asked for reinforcements.

2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, on hearing this transmission over the radio, answered the call and moved with his troop to meet the enemy attack. On the way, his troop came under fire from enemy strong points and recoillless gun nests that were still holding out in the bridgehead established across the Basantar river by our troops. Realising that a critical situation was developing and prompt action was to be taken, 2nd Lt Khetarpal assaulted the enemy strong points, physically overrunning them and capturing the enemy's infantry and weapon crews at pistol point.

In the course of this action, the commander of one of the tanks in his troops was killed but, 2nd Lt Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly till all opposition was overcome and he broke through towards the location of our squadron. When enemy tanks started pulling back after their initial probing attacks, he chased them and destroyed one of them. When the enemy launched another attack with an armoured squadron, against the sector held by three of our tanks, one of which was manned by 2nd Lt Khetarpal, a fierce battle ensued and 10 enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which 2nd Lt Khetarpal personally destroyed four.

In the fight 2nd Lt Khetarpal's tank was hit and it burst into flames and he was severely wounded. 2nd Lt Khetarpal was ordered to abandon his tank but realising that the enemy was still pressing the attack in this sector and that if he abandoned his tank, the enemy would break through, he continued engaging the enemy despite the grievous wounds and his own tank burning. He destroyed one more enemy tank before his tank was hit a second time, killing him. But the enemy had been denied the breakthrough he was seeking so desperately.

In this action 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal displayed the most conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy, indomitable fighting spirit and tenacity of purpose.

PARAM VIR CHAKRA TV SERIAL 

2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal Episode