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Created page with "{{Infobox military person |name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar |birth_date= |death_date= |birth_place=India |allegiance=India |branch=Indian Army |serviceyears= |rank=Brigadier |unit=5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR) |battles=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |awards=Maha Vir Chakra }} '''Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', MVC was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 5th Gorkha Rifles during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He was..."
 
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{{Short description|Indian Army officer and Maha Vir Chakra recipient (1934–2007)}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
|name=Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
|birth_date=
|birth_date={{birth date|1934|12|6|df=y}}
|death_date=
|death_date={{death date and age|2007|11|16|1934|12|6|df=y}}
|birth_place=India
|birth_place=[[Kolhapur]], [[Maharashtra]], India
|death_place=[[Pune]], Maharashtra, India
|allegiance=India
|allegiance=India
|branch=Indian Army
|branch=Indian Army
|serviceyears=
|serviceyears=1950s–1980s
|rank=Brigadier
|rank=[[Brigadier]]
|unit=5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR)
|unit=[[5 Gorkha Rifles]] (3/5 GR, 4/5 GR)
|battles=Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
|battles=[[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] ([[Operation Cactus-Lilly]])
|awards=Maha Vir Chakra
|awards=[[Maha Vir Chakra]]
}}
}}


'''Brigadier Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] was an officer of the [[Indian Army]] who served with the [[5 Gorkha Rifles|5th Gorkha Rifles]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. He was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his leadership and courage in the Eastern Sector (Bangladesh).
'''Arun Bhimrao Harolikar''', [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] (6 December 1934 – 16 November 2007) was an officer of the [[Indian Army]] who served with the [[5 Gorkha Rifles]] and was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] for his actions during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]].<ref name="gallantry">{{cite web |title=Lt Col Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, Maha Vir Chakra |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1453 |publisher=Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref> As a [[Lieutenant Colonel]] commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), he led the battalion through the Battles of Atgram, Gazipur, and the first heliborne operation of the Indian Army at [[Sylhet]].<ref name="claws">{{cite journal |last=Cardozo |first=Ian |title=The Battle for Sylhet |journal=Scholar Warrior |date=Spring 2020 |url=https://www.claws.in/static/SW-Spring-2020_15_The-Battle-for-Sylhet.pdf |publisher=Centre for Land Warfare Studies |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref name="oiop">{{cite web |title=Brig. Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC |url=https://oneindiaonepeople.com/brig-arun-bhimrao-harolikar-mvc/ |publisher=One India One People Foundation |date=28 February 2018 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=चंद सैनिकों के साथ दुश्मन से लड़ता रहा ये महावीर, पैरों में गिरे 6829 दुश्मन |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/nation/indian-army-battle-of-sylhet-india-pakistan-war-1971-mahavir-chakra-lieutenant-colonel-arun-bhimrao-harolikar-fighting-seven-days-forced-6829-pakistani-to-surrender-7882474.html |work=News18 हिंदी |language=hi |access-date=2026-10-17}}</ref>
 
== Early life and education ==
Harolikar was born on 6 December 1934 in [[Kolhapur]], [[Maharashtra]]. He studied at New High School, Kolhapur, and Rajaram College, Kolhapur.<ref name="oiop" /> He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR), and was wounded in action during a counter-insurgency operation in [[Nagaland]] early in his career.<ref name="oiop" /> In August 1971, he was ordered to take command of the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR).<ref name="oiop" />


== Military career ==
== Military career ==
As a Lieutenant Colonel, Harolikar was commanding a battalion of the 5th Gorkha Rifles when he was tasked with capturing a well-fortified enemy position in the Eastern Sector. The enemy held the position with two companies covering all approaches.


When two assaulting companies were held up by intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar led the remaining battalion in an assault along a difficult approach from behind the enemy lines. He personally took part in hand-to-hand fighting, and it was largely due to his leadership that the battalion captured the position. The capture resulted in the liberation of a large part of the area and facilitated further operations by the brigade group.
=== Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 ===
During [[Operation Cactus-Lilly]] in the Eastern Sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar commanded 4/5 GR, which was part of 59 Mountain Brigade.<ref name="tribune">{{cite news |last=Dabas |first=Dilbag Singh |title=Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/recalling-the-valour-of-maulvi-bazaar-sylhet-mvcs-271298/ |work=The Tribune |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>
 
At the [[Battle of Atgram]] (20/21 November 1971), Harolikar’s battalion launched a night attack across the [[Surma River]]. When the assault was met with heavy machine-gun fire, Harolikar led the charge; during the close-quarters fighting, he personally grappled with and killed the enemy company commander, Major Alvi.<ref name="oiop" /><ref name="claws" /> The enemy company was wiped out.<ref name="oiop" />
 
The battalion subsequently captured [[Gazipur]] on 4/5 December 1971.<ref name="oiop" /><ref name="archive5gr">{{cite web |title=5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force) |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913000000/http://en.wikipedia.org:80/wiki/5th_Royal_Gurkha_Rifles_(Frontier_Force) |publisher=Internet Archive |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref> By this stage, the battalion’s strength had been reduced to 50–60 soldiers.<ref name="oiop" />


Later during the operations, he captured another enemy position. On 7 December 1971, after the battalion was landed by helicopters at [[Sylhet]], his defensive position came under a series of well-coordinated enemy counter-attacks, which were repulsed under his leadership.
On 7 December 1971, 4/5 GR was heli-lifted to [[Sylhet]] in the Indian Army’s first heliborne operation.<ref name="claws" /><ref name="oiop" /> Despite his misgivings about the operation’s planning, Harolikar and his men established a blocking position and repulsed enemy counter-attacks.<ref name="claws" /> The Pakistani garrison at Sylhet surrendered on 16 December 1971; the surrender document was signed in the presence of Lt Col Harolikar.<ref name="archive5gr" />


== Maha Vir Chakra ==
=== Maha Vir Chakra ===
For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].
For his gallantry and leadership during these operations, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref name="gallantry" /><ref name="archive5gr" /> His official award record lists his service number as IC-7916 and his unit as 5 GR.<ref name="gallantry" /> The citation recognised his role in the Battles of Atgram and Gazipur and in the successful conduct of the heliborne operation at Sylhet.<ref name="archive5gr" /><ref name="jk-now">{{cite news |title=Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar Who Forced Enemy to Surrender |url=https://www.jammukashmirnow.com/Encyc/2018/12/7/Lieutenant-Colonel-Arun-Bhimrao-Harolikar-Who-Forced-Enemy-to-Surrender.html |work=Jammu Kashmir Now |date=7 December 2018 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>


== Later life ==
== Later life and legacy ==
Brigadier (Retd) Harolikar settled in [[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]. He participated in the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations in 2021 marking 50 years of India's victory in the 1971 war.
After retiring as a Brigadier, Harolikar settled in [[Pune]], Maharashtra.<ref name="ie-garden">{{cite news |title=Pune’s Salunke Vihar unites to create and name garden after war hero of 1971 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/punes-salunke-vihar-unites-to-create-and-name-garden-after-war-hero-of-1971/lite/ |work=The Indian Express |date=16 November 2013 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref> He died in 2007.<ref name="ie-garden" /><ref name="pioneer">{{cite news |last=Kaul |first=Rattan |title=Gorkha is Cardozo’s fabricated war glory |url=https://pioneeredge.in/gorkha-is-cardozos-fabricated-war-glory/ |work=Pioneer Edge |date=16 December 2021 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>
 
In 2013, the residents of Salunke Vihar Society in Pune named a garden after him; he was the only Maha Vir Chakra recipient who had resided in the society.<ref name="ie-garden" /><ref name="ie-colony">{{cite news |title=Colony names garden after war hero |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/colony-names-garden-after-war-hero/ |work=The Indian Express |date=17 November 2013 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref> In October 2021, as part of the [[Swarnim Vijay Varsh]] celebrations, the Victory Flame was received in Salunkhe Vihar by Jaya Harolikar, his widow, along with other veterans.<ref name="ie-flame">{{cite news |title=Victory Flame hosted by veterans and war heroes in Salunkhe Vihar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/victory-flame-hosted-by-veterans-and-war-heroes-in-salunkhe-vihar-7554525/lite/ |work=The Indian Express |date=6 October 2021 |access-date=17 October 2026}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
* [[Maha Vir Chakra]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
* [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
* [[5 Gorkha Rifles]]
* [[Military history of India]]
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* {{cite journal |last=Cardozo |first=Ian |title=The Battle for Sylhet |journal=Scholar Warrior |publisher=Centre for Land Warfare Studies |date=Spring 2020 |url=https://www.claws.in/static/SW-Spring-2020_15_The-Battle-for-Sylhet.pdf |access-date=17 October 2026}}
* {{cite news |last=Dabas |first=Dilbag Singh |title=Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs |work=The Tribune |date=20 June 2021 |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/recalling-the-valour-of-maulvi-bazaar-sylhet-mvcs-271298/ |access-date=17 October 2026}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/1453 Official Gallantry Awards record – Lt Col Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Harolikar, Arun Bhimrao}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harolikar, Arun Bhimrao}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:2007 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Indian military personnel of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:People from Kolhapur]]
[[Category:5 Gorkha Rifles]]
[[Category:Indian Army personnel from Maharashtra]]

Latest revision as of 14:28, 17 October 2026

Arun Bhimrao Harolikar
Born(1934-12-06)6 December 1934
Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India
Died16 November 2007(2007-11-16) (aged 72)
Pune, Maharashtra, India
AllegianceIndia
Service/branchIndian Army
Years of service1950s–1980s
RankBrigadier
Unit5 Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR, 4/5 GR)
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Operation Cactus-Lilly)
AwardsMaha Vir Chakra

Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC (6 December 1934 – 16 November 2007) was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 5 Gorkha Rifles and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his actions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.[1] As a Lieutenant Colonel commanding the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR), he led the battalion through the Battles of Atgram, Gazipur, and the first heliborne operation of the Indian Army at Sylhet.[2][3][4]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Harolikar was born on 6 December 1934 in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. He studied at New High School, Kolhapur, and Rajaram College, Kolhapur.[3] He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR), and was wounded in action during a counter-insurgency operation in Nagaland early in his career.[3] In August 1971, he was ordered to take command of the 4th Battalion, 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR).[3]

Military career[edit | edit source]

Indo-Pakistani War of 1971[edit | edit source]

During Operation Cactus-Lilly in the Eastern Sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar commanded 4/5 GR, which was part of 59 Mountain Brigade.[5]

At the Battle of Atgram (20/21 November 1971), Harolikar’s battalion launched a night attack across the Surma River. When the assault was met with heavy machine-gun fire, Harolikar led the charge; during the close-quarters fighting, he personally grappled with and killed the enemy company commander, Major Alvi.[3][2] The enemy company was wiped out.[3]

The battalion subsequently captured Gazipur on 4/5 December 1971.[3][6] By this stage, the battalion’s strength had been reduced to 50–60 soldiers.[3]

On 7 December 1971, 4/5 GR was heli-lifted to Sylhet in the Indian Army’s first heliborne operation.[2][3] Despite his misgivings about the operation’s planning, Harolikar and his men established a blocking position and repulsed enemy counter-attacks.[2] The Pakistani garrison at Sylhet surrendered on 16 December 1971; the surrender document was signed in the presence of Lt Col Harolikar.[6]

Maha Vir Chakra[edit | edit source]

For his gallantry and leadership during these operations, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.[1][6] His official award record lists his service number as IC-7916 and his unit as 5 GR.[1] The citation recognised his role in the Battles of Atgram and Gazipur and in the successful conduct of the heliborne operation at Sylhet.[6][7]

Later life and legacy[edit | edit source]

After retiring as a Brigadier, Harolikar settled in Pune, Maharashtra.[8] He died in 2007.[8][9]

In 2013, the residents of Salunke Vihar Society in Pune named a garden after him; he was the only Maha Vir Chakra recipient who had resided in the society.[8][10] In October 2021, as part of the Swarnim Vijay Varsh celebrations, the Victory Flame was received in Salunkhe Vihar by Jaya Harolikar, his widow, along with other veterans.[11]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Lt Col Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, Maha Vir Chakra". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Cardozo, Ian (Spring 2020). "The Battle for Sylhet" (PDF). Scholar Warrior. Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 "Brig. Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, MVC". One India One People Foundation. 28 February 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  4. ↑ "चंद सैनिकों के साथ दुश्मन से लड़ता रहा ये महावीर, पैरों में गिरे 6829 दुश्मन". News18 हिंदी (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 2026-10-17.
  5. ↑ Dabas, Dilbag Singh (20 June 2021). "Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs". The Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)". Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar Who Forced Enemy to Surrender". Jammu Kashmir Now. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Pune's Salunke Vihar unites to create and name garden after war hero of 1971". The Indian Express. 16 November 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  9. ↑ Kaul, Rattan (16 December 2021). "Gorkha is Cardozo's fabricated war glory". Pioneer Edge. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  10. ↑ "Colony names garden after war hero". The Indian Express. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
  11. ↑ "Victory Flame hosted by veterans and war heroes in Salunkhe Vihar". The Indian Express. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 17 October 2026.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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