Real Heroes of Vijay Diwas 2023: Vijay Diwas, also known as Victory Day is celebrated every year on December 16. The day commemorates India’s triumph over Pakistan in the 1971 war. On this occasion, the Indian Armed Forces and their valour made 93,000 Pakistan Army Personnel surrender after the end of the war which led to the formation of Bangladesh
The intense conflict began in March 1971 with the start of a brutal crackdown in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) from Pakistan military forces. India intervened to support Bangladesh’s struggle for Independence prompted by the atrocities carried out by the Pakistan military against innocent citizens
With the situation getting worse, India officially entered the war on December 3, 1971. The Indian Armed Forces conducted various front-winning operations with great bravery and strategic ability and emerged victorious within a short span of 13 days. The formation of Bangladesh as an independent nation on December 16, 1971, after the Pakistan Military’s public surrender, is still remembered as a landmark event in world history.
The victory came with tremendous sacrifice as around 3,900 Indian soldiers lost their lives and 9,851 were wounded. This historic victory was only possible because of the Indian Armed Forces and the Mukti Jodhas, who emerged as real heroes in this decisive war.
The Indian defence forces fought bravely and several soldiers and officers sacrificed their lives or were wounded for life. Many of these brave hearts received the nation’s highest gallantry awards. Let’s learn a bit more about some of these heroes:
#VijayDiwas#16December marks the Historic Victory of #IndianArmedForces over Pakistan in the India Pakistan War of 1971.
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 16, 2023
On this day, let us salute the courage & fortitude displayed by the #IndianArmedForces.#IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/ZMdYn6owNE
General Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC
Born on 3 April 1914, he was the first Indian Army officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. Popularly known as Sam Bahadur, Gen Manekshaw was the Chief of Army Staff in 1971 and played a crucial role in delivering India its victory in the Liberation War of 1971. His active military career spanned four decades and five wars, beginning with service in World War II.
He is widely recognized as the greatest Indian Military leader who brought major victories to India. He was awarded the Military Cross for exceptional gallantry during World War II. He has also been bestowed with several other state and military decorations such as the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Burma Star, Poorvi Star, and War Medal (1939-1945).
2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, PVC (Posthumous)
Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, was born on 14 October 1950.
On December 16, 1971, a Pakistani armoured regiment attacked the Shakargarh Sector. The squadron commander requested reinforcements, and 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal responded by moving with his troops to meet the enemy attack. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Khetarpal assaulted enemy strong points and captured their infantry and weapon crews. He chased and destroyed one of the enemy tanks, and a fierce battle ensued against three of their tanks, including one manned by Khetarpal.
Khetarpal's tank was hit and burned, and he was severely wounded. Despite being ordered to abandon his tank, Khetarpal continued engaging the enemy, destroying one more enemy tank before being killed. In this action, Khetarpal displayed conspicuous gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit, and tenacity of purpose, demonstrating the importance of defending against enemy forces.
He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra The bravery and valour that he showed in the face of the enemy made him a legend in Indian military history.
Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC (Posthumous)
Lance Naik Albert Ekka, PVC, was born on December 27, 1942 in Gumla, Jharkhand. He was transferred to the 14th Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards in January 1968. During the initial preparations of the Indo-Pak war in 1971, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Naik.
Ekka led a battalion of troops in an attack on the enemy defence at Gangasagar on the Eastern Front. Despite intense shelling and small-arms fire, the troops continued to fight, capturing bunkers and clearing them with courage. Ekka noticed an enemy light machine gun inflicting heavy casualties on his company and charged into the bunker, bayoneting two soldiers and silencing the machine gun. Despite his injuries, Ekka continued fighting, clearing bunkers and ultimately capturing the objective. Despite his heroic actions, he suffered serious injuries and succumbed to his injuries after capturing the objective.
His indomitable determination and courage inspired his comrades to act fiercely, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. He was posthumously decorated with Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military decoration.
Lt. Col. Raj Mohan Vohra, PVSM, MVC
Lt. Col. (later Lt. Gen.) Raj Mohan Vohra, PVSM, MVC was born on May 7, 1932. He was commissioned into 14 Horse in 1952. As a Major, he was selected in 1963 to attend the Defence Services Staff College at Wellington.
Lieutenant Colonel Raj Mohan Vohra, commanding 4 Horse in the Shakargarh Sector, led the advance capturing positions like Bhairo Nath, Thakurdwara, Bari Lagwal, Chamrola, Darman, Chakra, and Dehlra. Despite fortifications, he provided inspiring leadership and stood fast against enemy armour. During the Basantar River battle, his regiment destroyed 27 tanks with minimal casualties.
In recognition of his valour and leadership at the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, he was awarded the nation’s second highest war-time award, the Maha Vir Chakra.
Lt. Gen. Hanut Singh Rathore, PVSM, MVC
Lt. Gen. Hanut Singh Rathore, PVSM, MVC, was born on 6 July 1933. He chose to join the Armoured Corps after graduating from the Indian Military Academy in December 1952.
He was commanding 17 Horse in the Shakargarh Sector of the Western Front. On 16 December 1971, his regiment was inducted into the Basantar River bridgehead and took up positions ahead of the infantry. The enemy launched a number of armoured attacks in strength on 16 and 17 December. Undeterred, he moved from one threatened sector to another with utter disregard for his safety. His presence and cool courage inspired his men to remain steadfast and perform commendable acts of gallantry.
He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, for showing exceptional courage in the face of the enemy in the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.
Capt. Shankar Rao Shankharam Walkar, MVC (Posthumous)
Capt. Shankar Rao Shankharam Walkar, MVC, was born on June 15, 1969, in Kadgaon, Maharashtra. At the age of 26, he was commissioned into the Madras Regiment. On 16 December 1971, when the battalion reached Hingore Tar after advancing 42 miles, it came under very heavy shelling from enemy positions.
With utter disregard for his safety, Captain Walkar went to each company position to tie up defensive fire tasks. In doing so, he was hit twice by splinters and sustained injuries, but he refused to be evacuated and carried on with his task, displaying outstanding courage and devotion to duty. Heavy enemy shelling continued during the night and early next morning the enemy assaulted two company positions. Although wounded Captain Shankar Rao Shankhapan Walkar stuck to his. job and brought very accurate mortar fire on the enemy and inflicted heavy casualties. During a subsequent attack, he shot at least four enemy personnel and forced the enemy to pull back. He was, however, fatally wounded in this action. After firing the last round, he succumbed to the injuries.
Captain Walkar was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for exceptional bravery and valour.
Capt. Dara Dinshaw Mistri, MVC (Posthumous)
Capt. Dara Dinshaw Mistri, MVC, was born on October 14, 1921. On July 5, 1942, he received his appointment in the 40 MEDIUM Regiment of Artillery. He held his post by himself during the Indo-Pak War (1947–1948) and refused to leave even though he knew that his life was in danger.
More than a dozen shells once crossed his or her objective point, yet he stayed there unfazed until a 75mm shell struck his position and instantly killed him. This brave cop remained the picquet's guardian angel day and night. All ranks on the picquet and deserving were inspired by his unwavering heroism, personal courage, and dedication to duty with complete disregard for personal safety. He was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Capt. Satish Chander Sehgal, VrC (Posthumous)
Capt. Satish Chander Sehgal, VrC, was born on April 4, 1936. He belonged to the Regiment of Artillery.
On 16 December 1971, Captain Satish Chander Sehgal, a forward observation post officer with an armoured regiment in the Shakargarh Sector, encountered enemy tanks in the Gazipur forest. He engaged them with medium artillery fire, neutralizing the tank concentration. He destroyed a tank in an attempt to escape, but his tank caught fire. He and his radio operator helped extricate the driver and gunner from the burning tank but were hit by an enemy machine gun, resulting in his death.
Capt. Sehgal displayed professional acumen, undaunted courage and selfless devotion to service in the face of the enemy and was posthumously awarded the Vir Chakra.
Capt. Kumud Kumar, VrC
Capt. Kumud Kumar, VrC, was born on November 1, 1946, in Faizabad. He completed his officer’s training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He opted for the Infantry and was commissioned into the 2nd battalion of the Rajput Regiment.
During the war, Capt. Kumud Kumar was leading a platoon of a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, which was ordered to clear a roadblock in the Eastern Sector. During the advance, the enemy brought down heavy fire from medium machine guns and light machine guns. 2nd Lieut. Kumud crawled up to the medium machine gun bunker and silenced it by lobbing a grenade on it. This action enabled the platoon to capture the position and clear the roadblock.
In this action, Capt. Kumud Kumar displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order. For this heroic act of daredevilry, Capt. Kumud was later awarded the Vir Chakra.
Capt. Satish Kumar Vashisht, VrC
Capt. Satish Kumar Vashisht, VrC, was another brave officer from the 2nd battalion of the Rajput Regiment. On the morning of 5 December 1971, Capt. Vashisht was leading a patrol to confirm the vacation of a border outpost by the enemy.
When his patrol was approximately thirty yards from the outpost defences, the enemy opened fire on the patrol with automatic weapons. With complete disregard for his safety, he charged an enemy medium machine gun bunker and silenced it. He then charged the light machine gun bunker but in the process stepped on a mine and lost his foot. He continued to exhort his men to charge the bunker. Inspired by his example, his men destroyed the bunker and captured the post.
In this action, Capt. Satish Kumar Vashisht displayed gallantry, determination and leadership of a high order. For this inspiring act of heroism, Capt. Vashisht was later awarded the Vir Chakra.
So, these were some of the real heroes of the 1971 war who displayed exceptional bravery and courage in the face of the enemy and were aptly decorated with the nation’s highest war-time military awards. There are many more such heroes whose details you can find here: https://twdi.in/ These officers and men continue to remind us of the tremendous price that soldiers pay with their blood to keep our borders safe. On this Vijay Diwas, we pay our homage and tribute to these brave hearts.
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