Mahavir Chakra (MVC)

Lieutenant Colonel Arun Bhimrao Harolikar, who was commanding a battalion of 5th Gorkha Rifles, was given the task of capturing an enemy position in the Eastern Sector. When two assaulting companies were held up due to intense enemy fire, Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar led the remaining battalion into assault along a difficult approach behind the enemy. On reaching the objective, he personally took part in hand-to hand fighting and it was mainly due to him that the battalion captured the enemy position. On 7 December, after the landing of his battalion by helicopters in Sylhet, the resolute action fought by the battalion under his inspiring leadership broke the enemy's will to resist, resulting in early surrender of the entire garrison of several thousand enemy personnel. 

Throughout the operations, Lieutenant Colonel Harolikar displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a very high order.