Raksha Mantri Pays Tribute to Param Vir Chakra Awardee Arun Khetarpal on his Balidan Diwas
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on Monday paid heartfelt tributes to 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, Param Vir Chakra (Posthumous), on his Balidan Diwas, remembering his extraordinary bravery and supreme sacrifice during the 1971 war.
In a message shared on social media, the Raksha Mantri said that 2nd Lt Khetarpal chose the nation over self and duty over life while facing grave danger on the battlefield. He recalled the young officer’s steadfast resolve and courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
RM said that the supreme sacrifice and indomitable courage of 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal remain a timeless source of inspiration for the nation.
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal was posthumously awarded India’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra, for his heroic actions during the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
Remembering and paying my tributes to 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, Param Vir Chakra (P), on his ‘Balidan Diwas’. During the 1971 war, he chose the nation over self and duty over life, standing firm in the face of grave danger. His supreme sacrifice and indomitable courage remain a… pic.twitter.com/Ksud2sOb5C
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 16, 2025