’48 martyr commemorated as war hero on death anniversary

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, chief guest at the Martyrdom Day celebrations today, said, ‘‘He was one of the most arresting and spectacular figures of the J-K operations. He was a nationalist to the core and had no problem in remaining loyal to his religion as well as his country. As a war hero, his place in the history of India is secure.’’

Usman, trained at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst, had famously declined an offer from Islamabad after partition to join the Pakistan Army as a General. After the erstwhile Baluch Regiment, of which he was a part, was allotted to Pakistan, Usman was transferred to the Dogra Regiment in 1947 and became commander of the 77 Para Brigade. Shortly after that he was side-stepped to command 50 Para.

Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma, Master General Ordnance and colonel of the Para Regiment, said, ‘‘In our brotherhood of paratroopers, we will always look up to Brigadier Usman as an icon, a warrior who will always inspire us to rise to the occasion.’’

It is said that the Pakistan Army frequently spread rumours of Usman’s death to demoralise Indian troops during the 1947 operations, though it is still ironic that after fierce battles for Nowshera and then Jhangar, Brig Usman fell to a shell during a virtual lull in firing. The Pakistan Army is believed to have announced a Rs 50,000 reward for Usman’s death.

The Defence Minister also indicated that similar commemorations would shortly be held to felicitate other war heroes of the J-K operations of 1947-48, including independent India’s first MVC awardee Brigadier Rajinder Singh, Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai killed in Baramulla and Major Somnath Sharma who was killed defending Badgam in 1947.