Col Alok Mathur, SM (Veteran)
53 Years ago, A new Nation emerged on the World Map. Pakistan can never forget the humiliation of 16 December1971, when Indian forces entered Dacca, the capital of East Pakistan and unconditional surrender of almost four division strong Pak Army Eastern theatre command led by Lt General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi was accepted by Lt General Jagjit Singh Aurora , Indian Eastern Army Commander at in Dacca sports Stadium. Pakistan was dismembered and the whole world watched birth of a new nation named Bangladesh by Mujibur Rahman, father of Sheikh Hasina 10th Prime Minister of Bangla Desh , who is presently living in India as India granted Asylum since 5 August 2024 . India declared Unilateral Ceasefire at 1631 hours on 16 December and thus washed the sins of 1962 unilateral ceasefire announced by China, tearing enemy nation in two halves .The seeds of war were sown in early 1971,when Awami league secured absolute majority in general elections and sought autonomy for Bengali dominated East Pakistan .General Yahiya Khan ,President of Pakistan ordered military crackdown and brutal repression on masses of East Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with top leaders were arrested for treason .Mayhem was launched by military ,which resorted to mass rape and killings Consequently, approx 10 million East Pakistanis fled to India as refugees thus adversely affecting the Indian economy. India appealed to world leaders to force Pakistan to stop atrocities on poor Bengali population but none responded .Mrs Indira Gandhi was in favour of launching an attack at the earliest but General Sam Manekshaw advised her to delay post monsoon so full preparations can be made and troops from various locations can be mobilised.She gave full freedom to Army to plan operation, meanwhile diplomatic offensive was undertaken to generate international opinion in favour of action by India.Treaty of Friendship with USSR was executed to counter Pak friendly USA and China at UN. The War officially started on 03 December when Pak Air force launched simultaneous strikes on 11 Airbases in India .India responded with full might and in 13 days blitzkrieg on Eastern front and Western Front , demolished pak defences by capturing 15000 square kilometres of hostile territory. 93,000 Pakistani troops were made Prisoners of War,9000 troops killed and 25,000 wounded.2500 Indian troops also made supreme sacrifice and about 3 million Bangladeshis were also killed and 2 lakh women were raped by Pak soldiers / Cadres of Jamat –a- Islami, within 9 months of crackdown. Overall, It was a glorious victory for Indian Armed forces. They fought united and professionally .It was a largest surrender taken by any Army after World war ll and largest tank battles fought .Indian Army created a new nation in just 13 days short and swift war, unparallel feat in the world military history.
Valour Sagas of 1971 War There were four brave hearts honoured with Paramvir Chakras (PVC), the highest gallantry award, during Bangladesh War of 1971. Heroes are many, known and unsung .Lest we forget. We salute them all. Let us remember the braves, who became legends.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka (14 Guards), PVC, Posthumous
Albert Ekka was born on 27 December 1942 at Zari village of Ranchi District in Jharkhand State. He belonged to a Tribal family. His father name was Julius Ekka, a simple farmer and mother was Mariam ekka. He was an excellent marksman archer. He was enrolled in Bihar regiment on 27 Dec 1962 at the age of 20 Years only. In 1968, he was posted to 14 Guards battalion. He got married to Balamdine ekka in 1971 just before the war. During 1971 War, on 3 December ,very first day of 1971 war, 14 Guards was detailed to capture Pakistan strong point at Hilli near Gangasagar, 6.5 kms west of Agartala (Tripura) in Eastern sector .It was a well fortified advance postion at hilli and for capture of Akhura, neutralisation of this location was necessary. 14 Guards was advancing on Akhura axis on 6 Dec 1971, when enemy opened up Medium machine guns (MMG)and mortars on leading A company. Another Light machine gun also was causing lot of casualties on section of Albert Ekka from flank. The attack was launched on the fortified position. Close hand to hand fight took place but Light machine gun continued firing. Albert crawled to the LMG bunker and bayoneted the two enemy soldiers and silenced the weapon. He suffered lot of bullet injuries during assault and close combat. The company was on the objective but a MMG opened up from depth locality double storey Railway Cabin based fortification. All attempts failed to silence the MMG which was taking heavy toll of troops and halted the advance. Albert Ekka, in spite of being severely injured volunteered to crawl to rear and climb up the steel ladder. He was given smoke screen, he crawled to the rear climbed up and lobbed grenades and killed the MMG crew. he also collapsed due to excessive bleeding . MMG post was silenced and Battalion captured the objective and captured Akhura due to supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Albert Ekka ,who displayed the most conspicuous bravery and resolute determination in face of enemy. He was awarded Paramvir Chakra posthumously.
Major Hoshiar Singh (3 Grenadiers), PVC
Major Hoshiar Singh was born in Sisana village, Sonipat district, Haryana to Choudhary Hira Singh Dhaiya. After his schooling and one year’s study at the Jat College, Rohtak . He was a state level basketball player and physically very tough. He was married to Dhano Devi. His family resides in Jaipur. He was initially enrolled in 2 JAT. He was commissioned in the 3 Grenadiers Regiment on 30 June 1963, and was promoted lieutenant on 30 June 1965. His first posting was in NEFA. In the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, he saw some action in the Rajasthan sector, for which he was mentioned in despatches. He was promoted to captain on 30 June 1969.
On 15 December 1971,3 Grenadiers was given the task of establishing a bridgehead across the Basantar river in the Shakargarh Sector. Major Hoshiar Singh was commanding the left forward company and he was ordered to capture the enemy locality of Jarpal. This was a well-fortified position and was held in strength by the enemy. During the assault, his company came under intense shelling and effective crossfire from enemy medium machine guns. Undeterred, he led the charge and captured the objective after a fierce hand-to hand fight. The enemy reacted and put in three counter attacks on 16 December 1971, two of them supported by armour, Major Hoshiar Singh unmindful of the heavy shelling and tank fire went from trench to trench, motivating his command and encouraging his men to stand fast and fight. Inspired by his courage and dauntless leadership, his company repulsed all the attacks inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Again, on 17 December 1971, the enemy made another attack with a battalion supported Armour and heavy artillery fire. Though seriously wounded by enemy shelling, Major Hoshiar Singh again went from trench to trench moving about in the open with utter disregard to his personal safety when an enemy shell landed near the medium machine gun post injuring the crew and rendering it inoperative. Major Hoshiar Singh, realizing the importance of machine-gun fire, immediately rushed to the machine-gun pit and though seriously wounded himself, manned the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The attack was successfully repulsed and the enemy retreated leaving behind 85 dead including their Commanding Officer and three other officers. Though seriously wounded, Major Hoshiar Singh refused to be evacuated till the ceasefire.
Throughout this operation, Major Hoshiar Singh displayed most conspicuous gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and leadership in the highest traditions of the Army and was awarded Paramvir chakra.
Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon (Indian Air Force) PVC, Posthumous
Flying Oficer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was born on 17 July 1943 in the village of Isewal, Ludhiana. He was the son of M.W.O. (Honorary) Flight Lieutenant Tarlok Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 4 June 1967 as a Pilot Officer. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration during war time, in recognition of his lone defence of Srinagar Air Base against a PAF air raid during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He is the only member of the Indian Air Force to be honoured with the Param Vir Chakra till date.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was serving with the No.18 Squadron, “The Flying Bullets” of IAF, now re raised with Tejas, flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets of 26 Sqn from PAF base Peshawar. Flying Officer Sekhon was on operation readiness platform duty at that time. As soon as the first aircraft attacked, Sekhon rolled for take-off as No 2 in a two-Gnat formation, with Flt Lt Baldhir Singh Ghuman in lead, just as the first bombs were falling on the runway. Only delayed due to dust kicked up by the preceding Gnat, Sekhon lost no time in singling out the first Sabre pair, which was re-forming after the bombing run. The Gnat Leader, Flt Lt Ghuman, lost visual contact with his wingman just after take-off, remained out of the fight leaving Sekhon to handle the critical situation all by himself. In the ensuing air battle, Sekhon scored a direct hit on one Sabre and set another ablaze. The latter was seen heading away towards Rajauri, trailing smoke.
Sekhon, after being hit, was advised to return to the base. He is said to have flown in straight, wings level for some time, then going inverted, plummeting down, probably due failure of control system. He attempted a last-minute ejection, which did not prove successful, as his canopy was seen to fly off. The wreckage of the Gnat was found in a gorge, near the road coming from Srinagar town to the base, a few miles from the base. Despite many search efforts by Army and Air Force, his remains were never found due to the mountainous terrain of where his fighter went down, much to the disappointment of his wife and family. He is truly remembered as saviour of Srinagar and shot down two F 86 Sabres.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (17 Poona Horse), PVC, Posthumous
Arun Khetarpal was born in Pune, Maharashtra on 14 October 1950. His family belonged to Sargodha, Pakistan, and had migrated to India after partition as refugees. His father Lt Col (later Brigadier) M. L. Khetarpal was a Corps of Engineers officer serving in the Indian Army and his family traced a long history of military service. Attending The Lawrence School, Sanawar, he distinguished himself both as an able student and sportsman and was the school prefect. Khetarpal joined the National Defence Academy in June 1967. He belonged to Foxtrot Squadron where he was the Squadron Cadet Captain of the 38th Course. His NDA No was 7498/F/38. He subsequently went on to join the Indian Military Academy. In June 1971, Khetarpal was commissioned into the 17 Poona Horse.
On 16 December 1971, the Squadron Commander of ‘B’ Squadron, the Poona Horse asked for reinforcement as the Pakistani Armour which was superior in strength, counter attacked at Jarpal, in the Shakargarh Sector.On hearing this transmission, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal who was in ‘A’ Squadron, voluntarily moved along with his troops, to assist the other squadron. En route, while crossing the Basantar river, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his troops came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still holding out. Time was at a premium and as critical situation was developing in the ‘B’ Squadron sector, Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, boldly started attacking the enemy strong points by literally charging them, overrunning the defence works with his tanks and capturing the enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. One tank commander of his troop was killed. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was overcome and he broke through towards the ‘B’ Squadron position, just in time to see the enemy tanks pulling back after their initial probing attack on this squadron. He was so charged with enthusiasm and the impetus of his own initiative , he started chasing the withdrawing tanks and even managed to shoot and destroy one. Soon thereafter, the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack and this time they selected the sector held by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and two other tanks as the points for their main effort. A fierce tank fight ensured ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed of which Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was asked to abandon his tank but he realised that the enemy though badly decimated was continuing to advance in his sector of responsibility and if he abandoned his tank the enemy would break through, he gallantly fought on and destroyed another enemy tank. At this stage, his tank received a second hit which resulted in the death of this gallant officer.
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal displayed exceptional bravery and skill during ferocious Tank vs tank battle and by his bold action saved the day. The enemy was denied the breakthrough he was so desperately seeking. Not one enemy tank got through. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal had shown the best qualities of leadership, tenacity of purpose and the will to close in with the enemy and made supreme sacrifice .For this act of courage and self-sacrifice far beyond the call of duty, he was awarded Paramvir Chakra posthumously.
We are proud of our true heroes of Indian Armed forces, who never hesitate to make supreme sacrifices beyond the call of duty and for the integrity of mother India. Writing about the 1971 Indo pak war of 1971, The celebrated American Journalist Sydney Schanberg of New York Times wrote after witnessing the War in East Pakistan ” l do not like sitting around praising armies, but this Indian Army was something unique , they were great all the way…never saw any man flinch, There was a tremendous spirit in Indian soldiers and it did good to experience it…they were brave but perfect gentlemen. Salute to Indian Army !
