The War in the West: The term ‘West’ is used to differentiate it from operations in East Pakistan. The war in the west was fought in the regions of India’s Northern, Western and Southern commands. The Battle of Jarpal, across the Basantar has assumed historical importance as a battle where two sub-unit commanders of two different units of the Indian Army won Param Vir Chakras in the same battle and where the commanding officer of the attacking battalion of the opposite side was awarded the Hilal-E-Jurat, Pakistan’s second Highest Gallantry award based on the written citation of the Indian Battalion commander. Major Hoshiar Singh of 3 Grenadiers and 2/Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of Poona Horse were Awarded India’s Highest award for Gallantry of the Most Exceptional order in this fiercely tested Battle in the Shakargarh Bulge in the Plains sector of Jammu. Major Hoshiar Singh’s exemplary conduct in peace and in war has motivated generation of soldiers on how to live and behave in peace so that we can win in War.
