Mohammad Usman


Mohammad Usman

MVC
Nowshera ka Sher
Born(1912-07-15)15 July 1912
Died(1948-07-03)3 July 1948 (aged 35)
Allegiance British India
India
Branch British Indian Army
 Indian Army
Service years1934–1948
Rank Brigadier
Unit 10th Baluch Regiment
Dogra Regiment
Commands50 Para Brigade
77 Para Brigade
14/10 Baluch
ConflictsSecond Mohmand Campaign
World War II
Indo-Pakistani War of 1947
Awards Maha Vir Chakra

Brigadier Mohammad Usman MVC (15 July 1912 – 3 July 1948) was the highest ranking officer of the Indian Army killed in action during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947. As a Muslim, Usman became a symbol of India's inclusive secularism. At the time of the partition of India he with many other Muslim officers declined to move to the Pakistan Army and continued to serve with the Indian Army. He was killed in July 1948 while fighting Pakistani soldiers and militia in Jammu and Kashmir. He was later awarded the second highest Indian military decoration for gallantry in the face of enemy, the Maha Vir Chakra.