Saluting our Heroes: Lt Col A B Tarapore, PVC

Continuing the series on our “Param Veers”, today the story of Lt Col “Adi” Tarapore, hero of the Battle of Phillora – by most accounts, the biggest tank battle during the war with Pakistan in 1965.

From the Indian Army website:

The Param Vir Chakra is awarded for most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self sacrifice, in the presence of the enemy, whether on land, at sea, or in the air. The decoration may be awarded posthumously.

*** Saluting our Heores – Lt Col Ardeshir Tarapore, PVC ***

Lt Col Tarapore’s story is set in the western sector during the war with Pakistan in 1965. The offensive that began in August is now into September. The war has spread beyond Jammu & Kashmir across the entire western border with Pakistan. It is early in September and Indian troops are valiantly fighting Pakistani movement in Khem Karan. This will lead to the decisive “Battle of Asal Uttar” ending in 97 Pakistani tanks abandoned or destroyed during battle. Meanwhile, another major offensive is unfolding in Sialkot. Courtesy Bharat-Rakshak, this is what happened next…

The biggest tank battle of the 1965 Indo-Pak War took place at Phillora in the Sialkot sector at the Battle of Chawinda. During the southern thrust of the Indian Army on the Kaloi-Phillora axis the 17 Horse  commanded by Lt. Col. Tarapore advanced on the right flank. On 11 September 1965, the regiment was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora. It decided upon launching a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear. To achieve the surprise, when the regiment was thrusting forward between Phillora and Chawinda, it was suddenly counter-attacked by the Pakistani Army’s heavy armour from Wazirwali.

Lt. Col. Tarapore defied the Pakistani Army’s charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an Infantry battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, he remained unperturbed throughout this action. When wounded, he refused to be evacuated. On 14 September 1965, he led his regiment to capture Wazirwali.

Unmindful of his injury, he again led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September 1965. In this battle his own tank was hit several times. But despite the odds, he maintained his pivots at both these places and thereby helped the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.

Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy armour and destroyed approximately sixty Pakistani Army tanks, suffering only nine tank casualties. However, Lt. Colonel Tarapore was enveloped in flames and died a hero’s death.

The valour displayed by him in this action, lasting 6 days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Such was the courage and bravery displayed by Lt Col Tarapore that it won praise even from the enemy.

Major Aga Humayun Khan & Major Shamshad of Pakistan Army in their article on Battle of Chawinda,which was published in Defense Journal had described Lt. Col Tarapore as a tough & brave opponent, who inspired & led the 17th Poona Horse bravely throughout the battle.

Citation

Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Tarapore, Poona Horse (17 HORSE) (IC-5565)

On 11 September 1965, the Poona Horse Regiment under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzarji Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora in the Sialkot Sector in Pakistan .  As a preliminary to making a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear, the regiment was thrusting between Philloira and Chawinda when it was suddenly counter attacked by the enemy’s heavy Armour from Wazirali.  Lieutenant Colonel A. B. Tarapore who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy’s charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Philloira with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion.  Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel  A B Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action and when wounded refused to be evacuated.

On 14 September 1965, though still wounded he again led his regiment to capture Wazirali.  Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury, he again gallantly led regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur-Dograndi on 16 September.  His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.

Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at a cost of only 9 tank casualties, and when lieutenant Colonel A. B Tara pore was mortally wounded the regiment continue to defy the enemy.

The valour displayed by lieutenant Colonel A.B. Tarapore in this heroic action, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

Related Post: The story of CQMH Abdul Hamid, one of the Heroes of “Asal Uttar”.

Additional reading: The History of the Poona Horse (17 Horse). Interestingly, the Poona Horse (17 Horse) is the only regiment named after a city. One of its other “Param Veer”s is Lt Arun Khetarpal. And apparently, it may also be the only regiment honoured by the enemy:

Four Victoria Crosses before Independence and the title Fakhr-e-Hind by the enemy after Philorah where it destroyed 23 enemy tanks are its crowning glories.

Also have a look at the series on “National Heroes” and other “Param Veers”.