October 31, 2025

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal PVC Wiki, Age, Death, Facts, Biography, Family & More

Updated On : October 29, 2025

Short Biography

Arun Khetarpal was born on 14-10-1950 in Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India. He was an Indian Army Officer who served as a Second Lieutenant and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. He was killed during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War in the Battle of Basantar. He is remembered to date as the Indian tank ace of aces because of the confirmed destruction of the enemy's 10 tanks.
Other Name: Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal

Arun Khetarpal Popular Videos

Health Issues, Illness and Death Info

Arun Khetarpal was killed on 16-12-1971 at the age of 21 in Barapind, Narowal district in the state of Punjab, Pakistan. He destroyed 10 enemy tanks during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, in the Battle of Basantar, and later he was killed by enemy fire.

DEATHDAY 16 December,1971 (Thursday)
DEATH PLACE Barapind, Narowal, Punjab
DEATH COUNTRY Pakistan

Arun Khetarpal Family, Relatives and Other Relations

Father M. L. Khetarpal (retired Indian Army Brigadier)
Mother Maheshwari Khetarpal (Homemaker)
Brother Mukesh Khetarpal
Sister None
Marital Status Unmarried

He was born and raised in a family of soldiers. His mother, Maheshwari Khetarpal, was a homemaker, and his father, M. L. Khetarpal was served in the Indian Army as Brigadier. He had a younger brother named Mukesh Khetarpal. His mother passed away in 1998 & his father passed away in 2015.

 

Life's Important Dates Of Arun Khetarpal

Shocking / Interesting Facts & Secrets About Arun Khetarpal

  • He was born and grew up in an Army family; his father was a retired Brigadier, his grandfather was a soldier in the First World War, and his great-grandfather served in the Sikh Khalsa Army.
  • He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, because of killed during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War in the Battle of Basantar after destroying the enemy's 10 tanks.
  • The 14th episode of the television series titled 'Param Vir Chakra' was made about him in 1988.
  • The 14th story of a graphic novel named 'Param Vir Chakra' is dedicated to him. This novel was written by Sanjana Kapur, graphics by Arijit Dutta Chowdhury, and published by Amar Chitra Katha (ACK Comics) in 2015.
  • The retired army officer Major Ravi made a film titled'1971: Beyond Borders' in 2017, in which Allu Sirish as Second Lieutenant Chinmay reprised Arun Khetarpal.
  • In 2025, director Sriram Raghavan made a war-drama film titled 'Ikkis' on the life of Arjun Khetarpal. In which actor Agastya Nanda played the role of Arjun Khetarpal & Dharmendra played the role of his father, M. L. Khetarpal.
  • The title of the Bollywood film 'Ikkis' is dedicated to his death at the age of 21.

Arun Khetarpal Age, Birthday Facts and Birthday Countdown

Arun Khetarpal was 21 years 2 months & 2 days old age.