Army to celebrate Basantar victory in 1971 Indo-Pak war

The army will celebrate its hard-won victory in a tank battle at Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak war for two days beginning tomorrow at Mathura.

During the celebrations, to be held under the auspices of the army's 1 'Strike' Corps headquarters, the next of kin of two winners of Param Vir Chakra, the country's highest war-time gallantry medals, will be felicitated, army officials said in New Delhi today.

Family members of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal, who was killed in the battle between the Armoured Regiments of Indian Army and Pakistani Army and Colonel Hoshiar Singh would be present on the occasion.

"Basantar Day will be celebrated at Mathura on December 15 and 16 to pay homage to those who were killed in battle during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. Next of kin of 2nd Lt Arun Khetrapal and Col Hoshiar Singh will be gracing the occasion," they said.

The Battle of Basantar took place between December 4 and 16 in 1971 and is considered one of the vital battles fought in the western sector.

Indian troops had won the battle to secure the area in the Punjab-Jammu sector and the Battle of Basantar encompassed the entire gamut of battles and skirmishes fought in the Shakargarh sector.

The battle was fought on both Indian and Pakistani side by their respective 1 Corps.

Second Lieutenant Kheterpal, who served in 17 Poona Horse, a cavalry unit, fought the battle on a T-55 tank and had destroyed nearly 10 Pakistani Patton tanks.

Col Hoshiar Singh was a 3 Grenadiers Regiment officer, who led his troops to capture Jarpal in the Shagargarh Sector during the Battle of Basantar.