Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kumar Chhabra was an officer of the Indian Army who served with the 10th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), also known as 10 Para (SF) or the Scorpions.
During his military career, he served as Second-in-Command of 10 Para (SF) and was expected to take over as the unit's Commanding Officer. His service included deployment to Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) during Operation Pawan.
Operation Pawan was launched in 1987 following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, with Indian forces tasked with operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). The campaign involved difficult engagements across northern Sri Lanka.
On 14 October 1989, 10 Para (SF) was assigned an operation against a heavily fortified LTTE stronghold. Lieutenant Colonel Chhabra personally led the assault. During the engagement, his team came under retaliatory fire, and he was wounded. Despite his injuries, he continued fighting and engaged the LTTE commander while his men continued the assault.
Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kumar Chhabra made the supreme sacrifice on 14 October 1989 during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka. He was a recipient of the Sena Medal in recognition of his gallantry.
His service and sacrifice remain part of the legacy of 10 Para (Special Forces) and the Indian soldiers who served in Sri Lanka with the IPKF.