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.