Ansari remembers cousin Brig Usman
The hero died fighting the enemy in 1948
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Jhangar-Nowshera (Rajouri), July 4
Peace, prosperity and development --- these are the three wishes of Vice-President Hamid Ansari for the residents of border areas of the state.

Speaking to The Tribune on the sidelines of the function, Ansari said, “I wish peace, prosperity and development for the people living in border areas as well as other areas of the state.”

He unveiled the bust of Brig Muhammad Usman, who sacrificed his life while fighting the Pakistani forces in 1948.

However, Ansari skirted a question on the revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) saying the “decision has to be taken by the Prime Minister and the government. You leave it to them”.

Earlier after unveiling the bust of Brig Usman and laying the wreath on his memorial, the Vice-President surprised all when he told them that Brig Usman was his cousin. “Brig Usman was my cousin. I was very young when he achieved the martyrdom”.

Saluting the martyr, Ansari said, “Everybody feels proud of him. He was a great national hero.”

Brig Usman, who is also known as the “Hero of Nowshera”, was awarded Mahavir Chakra posthumously.

Ansari also felicitated 12 ex-servicemen, who had worked as Bal Sainiks under Brig Usman himself, during the war for the liberation of Nowshera and Jhangar areas. They provided logistic support to the Army in fighting the enemy.

The Vice-President also interacted with the niece of Brig Sayida Fayaz-ud-Din, who along with her husband Col M. Fayaz-ud-Din (retd) had come all the way from Lucknow to attend the function. Ansari also dedicated to the nation Brigadier Usman Memorial Hospital on the occasion. The memorial function was attended by Lt-Gen PC Bhardwaj, Army Commander, Northern Command, Lt-Gen RK Swamy, GOC, White Night Corps, Lt-Gen PC Katoch, Lt-Gen Nirbhay Sharma (retd), SDS Jamwal, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch Range, Jaipal P. Singh, Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Shafqat Watali, SSP, Rajouri, and other senior Army officers.