AFVOA Newletters of Year 2003

Page 161 of 170 69. The following excerpt is from the book “Param Vir - Our Heroes in Battle” by Maj Gen Ian Cardozo, wherein, thirty years after the War, a Pak Brigadier confesses to Arun Khetarpal’s father, that he had shot his son during the battle of Bade Pind. “I have something to tell you and it concerns your son. Arun Khetarpal is a national hero…the youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra and you and I have become very close friends. But on that fateful day, at the battle of Bade Pind, we were soldiers unknown to each other, fighting for the safety and honour of our respective countries. I regret to have to tell you that your son died at my hands. Arun’s courage, on the battlefield was exemplary and he moved his tank with fearless courage and daring, totally unconcerned about his own safety. Tank casualties on both sides were very heavy, till finally it was just the two of us who faced each other. We both fired simultaneously…it was destined that I was to live and that he had to die. (Source: http://www.indiaclub.com/Shop/SearchResults.asp?ProdStock=7945 ) 70. Major Hoshiar Singh Grenadiers Date of Action: 17 December 1971 Place of Action: Basantar River, Shakargarh sector Date and Place of Birth: 5 May 1936, Sisana village, Rohtak tehsil, Haryana, son or Hira Singh Commissioned: 30 June 1963 CITATION 71. During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, the 3rd Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment spearheaded the advance of 54 Inf. Div. in Shakargarh sector on the western front on the night of December 5th. The 3 Battalion, made quick gains in the first ten days of the war. On December 15th, it was assigned the task of establishing a bridge-head across the Basantar River. The river was covered with deep minefields on both sides and protected by well fortified defence by the enemy.