All of 48 years and maybe more, the ‘Jarpal Queen’, a symbol of India’s triumph against Pakistan, travels through the length and breadth of India as a ‘war trophy’ of the Indian Army.The ‘Queen’, named after Jarpal in Pakistan, is actually royalty on four wheels, a Willys jeep, sleek, shiny and in shipshape condition, the object of lavish attention at the 3 Grenadier Regiment’s camp, about 40 km from Leh.

The vehicle, with Urdu script on its sides, is a “war trophy” captured from Pakistan during the 1971 conflict.Once fitted with are coilless gun, this US-origin jeep now travels across India as a prizedpossession of the Regiment, which has ensured the almost 50-year-old vehicle moves like a well-oiled machine.

“We captured it during the Jarpal war and it was used by thePakistani army as a part of their attack plan at Shakargarh border, in Jarpalarea of Pakistan. So, it was named Jarpal Queen. From that war, India has two Param Vir Chakra medals,” said Colonel (retd) J S Dhillon.The two Param Vir Chakraawardees were Colonel Hoshiar Singh from the Grenadier Regiment and SecondLieutenant Arun Khetrapal from the Armoured Regiment.

“It is a ‘war trophy’ and was shown to VIP guests and wasalso used during guard of honour for senior officers. It is in great conditionand runs very smoothly,” said Dhillon, a Sena Medal recipient who wascommissioned in the 3 Grenadier Regiment in 1982 and now heads the IndianInstitute of Skiing and Mountaineering, Gulmarg, under the Ministry of Tourism.Hesaid the ‘Jarpal Queen’ had gone wherever the Regiment has been stationed.Jaipur, Kupwara, Simla, Poonch, Meerut, Ferozepur... the list is long.

In 1988, when the Regiment was in Ferozpur in Punjab, thejeep was registered with the Punjab transport department for it to be driven onthe road.“We took a number, insured and registered it. As far as I can recall,except the regiment’s UN mission to Eithopia, the jeep has gone everywhere withthem,” said Dhillon.

The jeep has also been witness to numerous border skirmisheswith the neighbouring country, particularly during the regiment’s stints inJammu and Kashmir.

A full-scale war broke out between India and Pakistan overEast Pakistan in 1971. It ended with surrender of 90,000 Pakistani troops andled to the creation of Bangladesh.