BRIGADIER MOHAMMED USMAN

Born in Bibipur, Uttar Pradesh, Man of Steel joined the Indian army in 1934. During the 1947 Indo-Pakistan war Brigadier Usman fought a ferocious attack on Naushera and Jhangar, to highly strategic locations in Jammu and Kashmir and was named by his fellow soldiers ‘The Lion of Naushera’.

During the partition, he was given an offer of becoming the chief of the Pakistani Army. But his only choice was to stay in India.  he was inducted into the Dogra regiment in India and left the Baloch regiment of Pakistan. The Pakistani’s had suffered heavy injuries at his hands after the battle of Naushera, the same country that wanted him to become the chief of the army now went ahead and placed prize money of rupees 50,000 on his head. Brigadier Usman was a fierce soldier and a compassionate man.

He used to contribute a large part of his salary to support poor children and pay for their education. He was never married. This inspiring and exemplary officer of the Indian Army died on July 3rd 1984 defending Jhangar.  He was a recipient of Mahavir Chakra posthumously for his great courage and leadership.

ABDUL HAMID

Born 1 July 1933 to Mohammad Usman Idrishi and Sakina Begum in a family of 4 more brothers & 2 sisters in the village of Dhamupur in Ghazipur district, Uttar Pradesh. In the 1965 Indo Pak war Veer Abdul Hamid destroyed 8 US-made invincible Patton tanks in the Khemkaran sector.

In December 1954, Hamid joined the army. He was commissioned to the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers regiment. His battalion took part in the battle of Namka Chu against the People’s Liberation Army, during the Sino-Indian War.

The 4 Grenadiers battalion was entrusted with an important position before the village of Chima on the Khem Karan–Bhikhiwind line during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.  It was on 9 September 1965, at the Battle of Asal Uttar, Hamid destroyed seven Pakistani tanks and was martyred while in engagement with eight.

Rachna Bisht has authored the book titled ‘The Brave Param Vir stories’ on his life and martyrdom.

KM SETH

Born in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on December 19, 1939. Krishna Mohan Seth got married to Veena and they have two sons. Lieutenant General Seth got posted in the Regiment of Artillery of the Indian Army. Between March 1979 and October 1980, he commanded the 17 (Parachute) Field Regiment.

At Bhopal, he commanded XXI Strike Corps, following which he was opted to command III Corps in Nagaland between October 1994 and October 1995. He was then assigned as the Adjutant General. Seth retired on 31 December 1997.

LT GENERAL ZAMEERUD-DIN SHAH

Zameer Uddin Shah was born in Bahraich district, Uttar Pradesh, India, on 15 August 1948 is a retired senior General of the Indian Army. Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah, PVSM, SM, VSM has last worked as the Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Personnel & Systems), Indian Army. He worked as an administrative member for some time on the bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal after his retirement. Zameer also was the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.

MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY

“If death strikes before I prove my blood I swear, I will my death” words of the legend who fought against Pakistanis in the Kargil war. He was born on 25 June 1975 in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh. He was an officer of the Indian Army who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously which is India’s highest military honor, for his reckless courage and leadership during the Kargil War in 1999. He has commissioned in XI Gorkha Rifles’ first battalion. He was killed in battle on Jubar Top of the Khalubar Hills in the Batalik Sector of Kargil.

YOGENDRA SINGH YADAV

Born in 1980 in the village of Aurangabad, Ahir, Uttar Pradesh, Yadav was the son of a former Soldier who had fought in the Indo-Pakistan war as part of the Kumaon Regiment. His father’s stories instilled a deep sense of Patriotism and duty in Yadav from a young age.  So it was no surprise to his family when he decided to join the military at just 16 years of age. Yadav afterward proved to be a terrifying asset to the military by quickly rising through the ranks. 

For his action during the Kargil War, he was a recipient of Param Vir Chakra, the highest Indian military honor decoration. He was the youngest person to be the recipient of the medal who was aged just 19.

ASARAM TYAGI

A legend of the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Major Asaram Tyagi, MVC for displaying exceptional gallantry for the nation was decorated with Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously.

Major Asa Ram Tyagi On the night of 21 September 1965, personally led the greatest platoon of a company of 3rd Jat Battalion of Indian Army to seize a Pakistani position in Dograi village in Pakistan. It was defended by a troop of covering pillboxes, tanks, and recoilless guns. While invading the position, he got suddenly hit by two bullets in the right shoulder.  Regardless of his injury, he pressed on against the tanks, solely destroyed the crew with grenades, and seized two tanks intact. He was again hit by three more bullets while doing this. He continued to lead his company until he fell unconscious.

He was evacuated on the spot to a military hospital where he died. He was a man who was greatly inspired by his conspicuous bravery.