The army has decided to restore the vandalised grave of war hero Brigadier Mohammad Usman, the highest-ranked officer killed in the first Pakistan war of 1947-48, who had after Independence turned down the chance to become Pakistan’s army chief.

Several veterans had condemned the dishonour to the memory of a Mahavir Chakra winner who is said to have declined a request from Muhammad Ali Jinnah and chosen to stay back in India. The veterans had urged the army brass to restore the grave, located on the Jamia Millia Islamia university campus.

Photos of the defaced headstone have triggered outrage on social media.

It’s not clear when the vandalism happened — located at a corner of the campus, the grave had remained unfrequented during the pandemic. The vandals remain unidentified and their motive unknown.

“We are deeply anguished at the damage to the grave and have decided to restore it soon,” an army official said.

Brigadier Usman, known as “Naushera ka Sher (Lion of Naushera)”, was commissioned into the 5/10 Baluch Regiment and served it till Independence, the epitaph on his grave says.

“During Partition, he was given the option to join the Pakistan Army as army chief. A true patriot that he was, he declined and chose to serve the country of his birth, an epitome of patriotism and secularism,” the epitaph goes on.

“Brigadier Usman took over command of 50(I) of Para Brigade in December 1947 at Naushera (J&K). Under his command, the brigade halted the advance of Pakistani tribals at Naushera against all odds. He then led the brigade to recapture Jhangar, thereby turning the tide on the raiders.”

An army veteran said Jinnah had personally requested Brigadier Usman to move to Pakistan after Partition.

“He fought the Pakistani invasion in Kashmir, was the senior-most officer killed in action in July 1948, and was posthumously awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his gallantry,” he said.

Sources said the army had contacted the Jamia Millia authorities on Tuesday to discuss the grave’s restoration.

The university administration is responsible for the maintenance and security of the grave but its custody belongs to the defence ministry.

“Every year a wreath is laid by the army on Brigadier Usman’s grave on his death anniversary. The wreath-laying could not take place this year because of the Covid crisis,” a university official said.