Lieutenant Colonel Harbans Lal Mehta was born on 15 September 1922 in Delhi. He was the son of Shri D. C. Mehta and was educated at DAV College. He joined the Indian Army on 15 December 1946 and was commissioned into 4 Madras of The Madras Regiment. By 1965, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was serving as the Commanding Officer of 4 Madras.
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, 4 Madras was deployed in the western sector. On 8 September 1965, the battalion was tasked with capturing Maharajke in the Sialkot Sector. The assault began around 0200 hours after crossing the ceasefire line, but the advance was met by strong Pakistani defences and heavy fire. Lt Col Mehta ordered his troops to clear the enemy positions trench by trench.
When one of his companies became held up by intense enemy machine-gun, mortar, rifle and automatic fire, he committed a reserve company to deal with the position. When the reserve company was also held up by unexpected opposition from the flank, Lt Col Mehta personally went forward and led the assault. Inspired by his leadership, his troops pressed the attack and the enemy stronghold collapsed.
Lt Col Mehta was fatally wounded during the action and succumbed to his injuries. For his exceptional personal courage, leadership and supreme sacrifice, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.