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'''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]] | '''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 == | == Early life and education == | ||
Harolikar was born on 6 December 1934 in [[Kolhapur]], [[Maharashtra]]. | 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 == | ||
=== Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 === | === Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 === | ||
During [[Operation Cactus-Lilly]] in the Eastern Sector, then-Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar | 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> | ||
Harolikar’s battalion was | 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" /> | |||
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 | 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 and legacy == | == Later life and legacy == | ||
After retiring | 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 == | ||
| Line 47: | Line 49: | ||
== Further reading == | == 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/ |access-date=17 October 2026}} | * {{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= | * {{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 == | == External links == | ||
* [https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/ Official Gallantry Awards | * [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}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:28, 17 October 2026
Arun Bhimrao Harolikar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 December 1934 Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India |
| Died | 16 November 2007 (aged 72) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Service/ | Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1950s–1980s |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Unit | 5 Gorkha Rifles (3/5 GR, 4/5 GR) |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 (Operation Cactus-Lilly) |
| Awards | Maha 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]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Lt Col Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, Maha Vir Chakra". Gallantry Awards, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 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.
- ↑ 3.0 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.
- ↑ "चंद सैनिकों के साथ दुश्मन से लड़ता रहा ये महावीर, पैरों में गिरे 6829 दुश्मन". News18 हिंदी (in हिन्दी). Retrieved 2026-10-17.
- ↑ Dabas, Dilbag Singh (20 June 2021). "Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs". The Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 "5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)". Internet Archive. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ "Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar Who Forced Enemy to Surrender". Jammu Kashmir Now. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Kaul, Rattan (16 December 2021). "Gorkha is Cardozo's fabricated war glory". Pioneer Edge. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ "Colony names garden after war hero". The Indian Express. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- ↑ "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]
- Cardozo, Ian (Spring 2020). "The Battle for Sylhet" (PDF). Scholar Warrior. Centre for Land Warfare Studies. Retrieved 17 October 2026.
- Dabas, Dilbag Singh (20 June 2021). "Recalling the valour of Maulvi Bazaar, Sylhet MVCs". The Tribune. Retrieved 17 October 2026.