Hanut Singh Rathore (6 July 1933 – 11 April 2015), also referred as Hanut Singh (Not to be confused with Maharaja Hanut Singhji of Jodhpur) was a former Lt. General of Indian army. He was decorated with the Mahavir Chakra for his role in the battle of Basantar in 1971 war.
Lt. Gen. (PVSM, MVC) Hanut Singh Rathore was born in Jasol in Pachpadra, Barmer District, to Lt. Col Arjun Singh]. He attended the Colonel Brown Cambridge School in Dehradun and the Joint Services Wing academy.
In Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, then Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh commanded the 47 Infantry Brigade. The bridage was deployed to establish a bridgehead across the river Basantar in the Shakargarh sector and to extend support to the infantry battalions. On 16 December 1971, the Lt. Colonel led his forces across the heavily mined river to successfully take position before advance by the infantry battalions. Pakistanis made repeated attacks to dislodge the Indians, but the Lt. Colonel displayed moved from one threatened sector to the other and inspired his men to repulse the armour attack. His unit destroyed 48 Pakistani tanks in the battle and earned him the name ‘Hero of Battle of Basantar’.
Battle of Basantar
The Indian forces fought some of its toughest battles in the Shakargarh sector against Pakistani forces during the 1971 war. Lt. Colonel Hanut Singh commanded the 47 Infantry Brigade which was deployed to establish a bridgehead across the river Basantar, and extend support to the infantry battalions in the ensuing offensive operations.
On the 16th December Lt. Colonel Singh led his forces across the heavily mined river, to successfully take up positions ahead of the infantry advance. The Pakistani army retaliated almost immediately and made repeated attacks on the Indians, but the Colonel displayed remarkable courage in this grave situation and moved from one threatened sector to the other, inspiring his men to remain steadfast. Not only was the enemy Armour attack repulsed, but 48 of their tanks were destroyed.
Lt. Colonel Singh was decorated with the Mahavir Chakra for his role in the battle of Basantar. Lt. Arun Khetrapal was awarded the Paramvir Chakra.
(Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanut_Singh_Rathore & alchetron.com)