On 11 September 1965, Poona Horse under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore was assigned the task of delivering the main armoured thrust for capturing Phillora in the Sialkot Sector in Pakistan. As a preliminary to making a surprise attack on Phillora from the rear the regiment was thrusting forward between Phillora and Chawinda when it was suddenly counterattacked by the enemy's heavy armour from Wazirwali. Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore, who was then at the head of his regiment, defied the enemy's charge, held his ground and gallantly attacked Phillora with one of his squadrons supported by an infantry battalion. Though under continuous enemy tank and artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore remained unperturbed throughout this action and when wounded, refused to be evacuated. 

On 14 September, his wound still fresh he again led his regiment to capture Wazirwali. Such was his grit and determination that unmindful of his injury, he again gallantly led his regiment and captured Jassoran and Butur Degrandi on 16 September. His own tank was hit several times, but despite the odds he maintained his pivots in both these places and thereby allowed the supporting infantry to attack Chawinda from the rear.  

Inspired by his leadership, the regiment fiercely attacked the enemy's heavy armour destroying approximately 60 enemy tanks at the cost of only nine tanks, and when Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore was mortally wounded, the regiment continued to defy the enemy The valour displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Tarapore in this heroic action, which lasted six days, was in keeping with the highest traditions oft he Indian Army.