Archive · 7 Jan 2026
Arun Khetarpal's Heroic Legacy and First Salary Letter
Arun Khetarpal was a young soldier in the Indian Army.
On August 30, 1971, he received his first salary of Rs.
685 and decided to give it all to his grandfather.
He was very brave and loved being a soldier.
Just a few months later, during the war with Pakistan, he fought very hard and destroyed many enemy tanks.
Even when his tank was on fire, he refused to leave and kept fighting.
Sadly, he was martyred on December 16, 1971.
His family has kept his letter to his grandfather and his payslip as precious memories.
2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal received his first salary of Rs. 685 on August 30, 1971, and gifted it entirely to his grandfather.
He was martyred on December 16, 1971, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, refusing to fall back even after his tank caught fire.
Arun Khetarpal destroyed 10 Pakistani tanks in a single day and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor.
He was part of the 17th Poona Horse Tank Regiment, which had a proud history of bravery in previous wars.
Arun's family has preserved his letter to his grandfather and his payslip as cherished memories of his short but heroic life.
- Who
- 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal, a young tank commander in the Indian Army
- What
- Arun Khetarpal gifted his entire first salary to his grandfather and was martyred in the 1971 Indo-Pak war
- When
- August 30, 1971 (received first salary), December 16, 1971 (martyrdom)
- Where
- Samba district, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war
- Why
- Arun Khetarpal was a dedicated soldier who refused to fall back even after his tank caught fire, ensuring the road to Jammu and Kashmir was not threatened by the Pakistan Army
- Name
- Arun Khetarpal
- Age at Death
- 21 years
- First Salary
- Rs. 685
- Date of First Salary
- August 30, 1971
- Date of Death
- December 16, 1971
- Regiment
- 17th Poona Horse Tank Regiment
- Award
- Param Vir Chakra
- Tanks Destroyed
- 10 Pakistani tanks in a single day