Thread by @Paperclip_In

On 16th Dec, 1971, as the Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrendered to the Indian Army, tragedy befell an Indian family. 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, 17 Poona Horse, fought valiantly in a tank battle on the western front but succumbed to his wounds (1/n)

2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal was honored with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honor. Just 21 at the time of his death, he remains the youngest recipient of the honor (2/n)

Arun Khetarpal's father, M.L. Khetarpal was also with the Indian Army and would retire as a brigadier. Brig Khetarpal hailed from Sargodha which was in Pakistan. He cherished a long life dream to visit his place of birth (3/n)

His dream finally came true when in 2001, he got an opportunity to visit Pakistan. By this time, Brig Khetarpal was 81 and his family was strongly against his plans. But the old man was adamant (4/n)

In his youth, he had studied at the Govt. College in Lahore. He informed his family that his host was an alumni of the same college who was an officer in the Pakistan Army. Despite their misgivings, Brig Khetarpal went ahead (5/n)

His trip went off wonderfully well. He was met on arrival by Brig Nasir of the Pakistan Army who also played host to Brig Khetarpal during his entire stay. Brig Nasir also accompanied his Indian guest on the latter's visit to his old home (6/n)

Although Brig Khetarpal was overwhelmed with the affection and courtesy shown by his host, something rankled him. In the midst of conversations, Brig Nasir would slip into prolonged silences inexplicably, as if something else was on his mind (7/n)

The evening before his return, Brig Khetarpal was invited by Nasir to spent the evening on the lawns of his house, savoring the full moon. There, Brig Nasir made a revelation that left his guest shaken (8/n)

Half a century ago, the Pakistani tank which had fired the fatal shot that had claimed his son's life was helmed by none other than the man seated in front of him and who'd gone out of his way to ensure his trip was a success (9/n)

The next day, Brig Khetarpal returned home. Few days later, he received copies of some pictures that had been taken during his visit to Lahore and Sargodha. Along with the photos was a note from Brig Nasir (10/n)

It said - "With Warmest regards and utmost sincerity, To: Brigadier M.L. Khetarpal, father of Shaheed Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC, who stood like an unsurmountable rock, between the victory and failure...(11/n)

....of the counterattack by the 'SPEARHEADS' 13 LANCERS on 16 December 1971 in the battle of "Bara Pind' as we call it and battle of "Basantar" as 17 Poona Horse remembers" (12/n)

2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal picture: Ministry of Defence, GoI
2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal bust picture: Krishna Chaitanya Velaga commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cu…
Brig Khetarpal & Brig Nasir picture: kowieskorner.wordpress.com/2014/08/09/a-b…

*Correction: Three decades ago