New Delhi: Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, an insurgent-turned-soldier who laid down his life during an anti-terror operation at Shopian in Kashmir in November last year, has been awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. President Ram Nath Kovind will present the award to the gallant soldier’s wife Mahajabeen on the Republic Day.
Wani was once an insurgent himself, who later became part of the Indian sponsored counter-insurgency militia in Kashmir – the Ikhwanis – and went on to join the forces in 2004. The 39 year-old died in the line of duty in an operation against six terrorists in a village in Shopian district. Army sources told News 18 that Wani and his team had cordoned off the terrorists and blocked all escape routes.
The LeT terrorists, however, breached the inner cordon, firing and lobbing grenades. Undeterred, Wani held his ground and after a fierce close range exchange, killed one terrorist. Then he moved to a house where another terrorist was hiding and engaged him in hand-to-hand combat. He sustained multiple bullet injuries but managed to kill the second terrorist as well.
All six terrorists were killed in that operation. Apart from his wife, Wani is survived by two sons Athar (20) and Shaid (18). Wife Mahajabeen, a teacher, said she has been trying to show the “right path” to young minds, drawing inspiration from her late husband. Army sources describe Lance Naik Wani as “a legend in the fauji circles”.