Arun Khetarpal was the 21-year-old Second Lieutenant, who made India proud in the 1971 war with his no-backing-out attitude, despite his burning tank. ‘No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working, and I will get these bas***ds,” were the final words of the brave Indian soldier that echoed in the ears of the superior officer over the radio. But not just him, his bravery even made an echo across the borders and reached his killer’s ears. Read on to know what happened when Arun’s father met his killer in Pakistan.
Who was Arun Khetarpal?
For the unversed, Arun Khetarpal was the eldest of the two sons of Lt. Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal. The love for Army and country ran in their veins as his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather fought for the land and served in the Indian army. It was in June 1967 that Arun joined the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.
