Ummed Singh Mahra


Captain Ummed Singh Mahra was a posthumous recipient of the Ashoka Chakra.

Early life

Captain Ummed was born in a Kumaoni Rajput family in Almora, born in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. In 1967 he graduated from the Indian Military Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the 19 battalion of the Rajputana Rifles on 11 June. He was promoted lieutenant on 11 June 1969.

Action

In July 1971, as an acting captain, he led a raiding party against the headquarters of an insurgent group in Nagaland. Though wounded in a firefight, he continued to lead the operation which captured a large cache of arms, ammunition and important documents. He scummed to his injuries after returning from the raid. He was awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration.