20 GK Questions on Arun Khetarpal – The Braveheart of 1971 War

Answer: Arun Khetarpal was an Indian Army officer and tank commander who became the youngest recipient of India’s highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra. He served in the 17th Poona Horse regiment and became known as the “Indian tank ace of aces.”

Answer: Arun Khetarpal was born on October 14, 1950, in Pune, Maharashtra, into a distinguished military family.

Answer: He died on December 16, 1971, during the Indo-Pakistan War at the age of just 21 years old.

Answer: He held the rank of Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army.

Answer: Arun served in the 17th Poona Horse regiment, one of India’s most decorated cavalry regiments.

Answer: He was commissioned on June 13, 1971, just six months before his death.

Answer: The Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration awarded for courage and gallantry in the face of the enemy. It is considered equivalent to the Victoria Cross in other Commonwealth nations.

Answer: He received the award posthumously on December 16, 1971, the same day he was killed in action.

Answer: Arun came from a highly distinguished military family. His great-grandfather served in the Sikh Khalsa Army, his grandfather fought in World War I, and his father, Lt Col (later Brigadier) M. L. Khetarpal, served in the Indian Army’s Corps of Engineers.

Answer: Arun studied at Lawrence School, Sanawar, in Himachal Pradesh, and later attended the National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakvasla.

Answer: The Battle of Basantar was a crucial tank engagement during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, fought in the Shakargarh Sector at Jarpal. This is where Arun Khetarpal demonstrated his extraordinary heroism.

Answer: Arun personally destroyed 10 confirmed enemy tanks during the Battle of Basantar, earning him the title of “Indian tank ace of aces.”

Answer: His tank was named “Famagusta,” a Centurion tank that played a crucial role in the battle.

Answer: His iconic final words, transmitted over radio, were: “No Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working, and I will get these bas***ds.” He refused to abandon his burning tank despite orders to do so.

Answer: Arun realized that if he abandoned his tank, the enemy would break through and overwhelm the Indian position. Despite being severely wounded and his tank being on fire, he continued fighting because the mission was more important than his survival.

Answer: After destroying 10 Pakistani Patton tanks, his tank was hit a second time by enemy fire. His crew, including the radio operator Sowar Nand Singh, were also killed in the action.

Answer: His tank crew consisted of Sowar Prayag Singh (driver), Sowar Nand Singh (radio operator), Sowar Nathu Singh (gunner), and 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal (tank commander).

Answer: “Ikkis” (meaning “21” in Hindi) is a biographical war drama directed by Sriram Raghavan that chronicles Arun Khetarpal’s remarkable life and heroism. The title refers to his age at the time of his death.

Answer: Agastya Nanda, grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, plays the lead role of Arun Khetarpal in his debut big-screen performance. Dharmendra portrays his father in the film.

Answer: The film “Ikkis” is scheduled for theatrical release in December 2025, directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Maddock Films and Dinesh Vijan.