On This Day, In 1971, General Niazi Surrenders Marking The Birth Of Bangladesh, While Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal Displays Extraordinary Bravery In The West

On this day (16 December), in 1971, Bangladesh was formed as Pakistan's Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General A A K Niazi surrendered to Indian Army with more than 93,000 prisoners of war (POWs), marking the largest surrender of any army after World War 2.

After the Indian army surrounded Dhaka from three sides, and seeing that neither the Americans nor the Chinese were coming to his aid, Lt. Gen Niazi on 15 December asked for a halt in operations to negotiate a ceasefire.

The IAF had already agreed to a temporary halt in air operations until 0900 hrs on 16 December, which was later extended until 1500 hrs.

The formal surrender ceremony took place at 1631 hrs, with General Niazi signing the surrender document. Representing the Indian side was Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Indian and Bangladeshi forces in the eastern theatre.

However, the war in the west continued, where the IAF and army pressed on with their campaign. The fighting finally came to an end at 2000 hrs the next day (17 December).

A fierce battle was fought by the 47th Brigade of the Indian army at the Battle of Basantar, where 2nd Lieutenant Arun Kheterpal of the 17 Poona Horse displayed extraordinary bravery without regard for his personal safety.

The 47th Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across a mined 1,400-metre-wide riverbed of the Basantar river and capture Jarpal and surrounding areas.

While the engineers were clearing safe lanes, Pakistan army's 8th (Independent) Armoured Brigade launched a counterattack. Sensing the gravity of the situation, the 17 Poona Horse made a daring decision to defend against the onslaught of Pakistani Patton tanks, crossing the riverbed despite the minefield.

While crossing, the Centurion tanks of the 17 Poona Horse came under heavy fire from well-sited Pakistani positions. Lt. Arun Kheterpal physically destroyed these positions, overrunning their defenses.

The Pakistani counterattack, destroyed some tanks of the 17 Horse, but the superior gunnery of the Indian tanks, led by Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh, destroyed many Pakistani tanks, slowing down the offensive.

Seeing the Pakistani offensive breaking up, the 13th Lancers of Pakistan also joined the armoured assault. Sensing the developing critical situation, Lt. Col Hanut Singh called for reserve troops of the 17 Horse to defend against the attack.

In this defense, Lt. Arun Kheterpal, with his two tanks, fought off and destroyed ten tanks before his tank was hit by enemy fire.

This action blunted the Pakistani attack and saved the day. The bravery of the attack is highlighted by the fact that when his tank caught fire, Lt. Kheterpal refused to abandon his burning tank.

He radioed his commander, "No, Sir, I will not abandon my tank. My main gun is still working, and I will get these bastards."

He was finally killed when his tank was hit for the second time. His heroic actions saved the day, and by 1600 hrs, the attack was finally halted.

The ferocity of the attack could be seen by the fact that, when the assault was finally blunted, 48 Patton tanks lay burned in the area. 2nd Lt. Arun Kheterpal was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his extreme courage and bravery.