Mohammad Usman

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Brigadier Mohammad Usman was the highest rank officer of Indian Army killed in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, who as a Muslim became a "symbol of" India's "inclusive secularism".^[1] At the time of partition of India he with many other officers declined to move to the Pakistan Army and continued to serve the Indian Army.^[2] He died in July 1948 while fighting the raiders in Jammu and Kashmir.^[2]

At the time of Indo-Pakistani War of 1947-48 Brigadier Usman was posted at the Jammu and Kashmir front as the brigade commander of the 50 Para Brigade. He led his soldiers from front and in January-February of 1948 repulsed a fierce attack on Nowshera and Jhangar, two highly strategic locations in Jammu and Kashmir. He was thence know as the Lion of Naoshera.^[3] However, he was killed in action while fighting the Pakistan Army and the tribal raiders on July 3 of that year.^[2]

An Indian journalist, K.A. Abbas, wrote about his death, "a precious life, of imagination and unswerving patriotism, has fallen a victim to communal fanaticism. Brigadier Usman's brave example will be an abiding source of inspiration for Free India".^[4] Brigadier Usman was awarded the Indian military honour Mahavir Chakra posthumously.^[2]

Upender Sood a film director has produced a film on life of Brigadier Usman.^[2]

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Guha, Ramachandra. India after Gandhi. HarperCollins, p. 94. ISBN 0060198818. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Tributes paid to Brigadier Usman" The Hindu 5 July 2004
3. ^ "Saluting the Brave" 6 July 2006 The Statesman (India)
4. ^ Abbas, K. A., "Will Kashmir vote for India", Current, 26 October 1949