Valiant commander (1926-1986)
General Arun Kumar Vaidya was born on 27 January 1926, and was commissioned into Deccan Horse in 1945. He took part in the Second World War and was Commandant of the Regiment in the Indo-Pak war of 1965. India and Pakistan had a confrontation in February-April 1965, and both the countries concentrated their forces on the Western Front. It was resolved through the good offices of the Prime Minister of UK and in good faith, India moved its army back to peace stations. On the contrary, Pakistan infiltrated about 30,000 militants into Kashmir. The operation failed. Pakistan did not give up and 10 Infantry Division of Pakistan launched an offensive into the Akhnur sector of Jammu. It threatened India’s lines of communications and India moved its forces back to the Western front. Deccan Horse under command of Lt. Col. (later General) Vaidya was allotted to 4 Mountain Division, and joined it the day it moved out of Ambala to its operational area.
India launched an offensive on the western border in order to relieve the pressure in Akhnur. 4 Mountain Division was tasked to attack in the Khemkaran-Kasur sector. The attack got blocked due to the well prepared defences of the Pakistan Army, who responded by a counter-attack by their Armoured Division on 8 September. Deccan Horse engaged two squadrons of enemy tanks and dispersed them. It was decided to carry out a tactical withdrawal to Asal Uttar area. Deccan Horse was detailed to cover the withdrawal and redeployment of the Division. It fought a series of actions against the technically superior Patton tanks of Pakistan. Vaidya displayed outstanding leadership, moving from sector to sector with disregard to his personal safety. He played a crucial part in the raging battles at Asal Uttar and Cheema. He was awarded the MVC (Maha Vir Chakra).
He was Commander of 16 Armoured Brigade, when war broke out in 1971 between the two countries. Insurgency had long been raging in East Pakistan when Pakistan carried out an air strike on Indian airports on 2 December. India responded by an offensive on the eastern and western fronts. 54 Infantry Division with 16 Armoured Brigade under command was given the mission to advance to the line Zafarwal-Dhamthal, and then capture Mirzapur from there on. The line of advance lay between Karir and Basantar Rivers. The force came against a mine field on 6 December. Under the direction of Brigadier (later General) Vaidya, the units crossed the mine field and deployed in time to meet the attack by Pakistan armour in the Chetra-Dahiran sector.
The next major battle occurred at Basantar River in Shakurgarh Sector from 13 to 15 December. Two regiments of enemy armour counter-attacked on 14 December, and in the ensuing fire fight, 10 enemy tanks went up in flames in no time. No men could be spared to escort the prisoners, and they were secured on top of the engine deck of the tank. Sixty-two Pakistani tanks were destroyed, and the battle witnessed many acts of valour. Major Hoshiar Singh and Lt. Arun Khetrapal were awarded PVC for courage, tenacity and determination. Vaidya had displayed superb combat leadership and courage, and was awarded MVC again. The deadly fight came to an end on the afternoon of 18 December.
He went through the staff and command appointments and took over as GOC-in-C of Eastern Command in June 1983. He tackled the insurgency problems in a praiseworthy manner and was awarded PVSM in 1983. He took over as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on 1 August 1983. Punjab faced a severe terrorist campaign from 1984 onwards and the militants had converted the Amritsar Golden Temple into a stronghold. The Army was tasked to liquidate the terrorists in the Temple. General Vaidya had expressed his reservations about the armed action at the Temple, but it could not be delayed due to Intelligence reports of sedition. He described it as the most painful decision of his career. He retired and went to live in Pune. He was assassinated by Khalistani terrorists on 10 August 1986, and was posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan.