On 17 September 1965, Major Abdul Rafey Khan was commanding a battalion of Garhwal Rifles, which had captured Butur Deograndi village to the west 01 Chawinda and taken up a defensive position on the near side of the village. The enemy made a strong counter-attack with tanks. Major Khan personally directed the fighting and his battalion repulsed the attack with heavy losses to the enemy. In the evening, when his battalion was ordered to withdraw, Major Khan remained in position along with the regimental medical officer and personally carried and evacuated the casualties. While doing so he was hit by an enemy shell and killed.

In this action, Major Abdul Rafey Khan displayed exemplary courage and devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice of his life.