Arun Bhimrao Harolikar | |
|---|---|
| Born | India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Service/ | Indian Army |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Unit | 5th Gorkha Rifles (4/5 GR) |
| Battles/wars | 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 awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second-highest wartime gallantry award, for his leadership and courage in the Eastern Sector (Bangladesh).
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.
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.
Maha Vir Chakra
For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Later life
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.