Page 8 - NIS English 16-31 August 2023

Personality AB Tarapore

AB TARAPORE

DISPLAYED EXTRAORDINARY

BRAVERY IN THE 1965 WAR

BORN: 18 AUGUST 1923 | DIED: 16 SEPTEMBER 1965

In the 1965 war, Pakistan had to face defeat at the hands of India. There were
many heroes of this victory. One of them was Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore
of the Indian Army, who with his grit demolished every intention of the Pakistan
Army. AB Tarapore not only displayed unparalleled courage, valour and
unmatched gallantry for 6 consecutive days in the Indo-Pak War of 1965 but
also made the supreme sacrifice for the country. For this extraordinary bravery,
he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra in the year 1965. His
story of glory will always inspire future generations.

lthough the full name of Lieutenant Colonel and continued to lead the fight. During this the
AAB Tarapore, awarded with Param Vir Chakra, tank of Lt Col Tarapore was damaged, engulfed
was Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, he was fondly in flames. Lt Col AB Tarapore died a hero's death
called 'Adi'. Tarapore was born on 18 August 1923 on 16 Sep 1965, after turning the outcome of
in Mumbai to Burzorji Tarapore and Nargish. His the battle on the strength of his bravery. He was
ancestor Ratanjiba served as a general under posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra for
Chhatrapati Shivaji. his bravery in battle. Tarapore's last wish was that if
Tarapore started his military career in 1942 with he was killed in battle, he should be cremated there
the 7 Hyderabad Infantry. After independence, when on the battlefield. According to his last wish he
Hyderabad merged with the Union of India, he was was cremated at Jasoran on 17 September 1965.
posted to the Poona Horse Regiment of the Indian During the battle, his commanding skills were also
Army. In the Indo-Pak War of 1965, the decisive recognized by the Pakistani army facing him.
battle took place at Phillora in Sialkot (Pakistan)
from 7 to 11 September. The responsibility of Giving due respect to the real life heroes of the
taking control of this area was entrusted to the country has always been a top priority of Prime
commanding officer of the Poona Horse Regiment, Minister Narendra Modi. On 23 January 2023, it
Lieutenant Colonel AB Tarapore. On 7 September, was decided to name 21 large uncharted islands of
the regiment encountered Pakistan's Patton tanks the Andaman and Nicobar Islands after 21 Param
at Phillora. In a direct fight in which Pakistan Vir Chakra winners. An island in it was also named
deployed Patton Tanks, considered very dangerous, after AB Tarapore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi
the Indian Army defeated Pakistan. said on July 18, 2023, “We have named 21 islands
Under the stewardship of Lt. Col. AB Tarapore, after the brave sons who showed valour for the
the snipers hit the targets so accurately that 60 country and bestowed with Param Vir Chakra.
tanks of the Pakistani Army were destroyed, while Today, these islands of Andaman-Nicobar are
only 9 tanks of India were destroyed. Though giving new inspiration to the youth of the whole
wounded, he did not withdraw from the battlefield country for the development of the country.

6 New India Samachar August 16-31, 2023