Ashok Chakra Awardee Wani Gives the Message of Togetherness: Army

A militant-turned soldier, Nazir Wani hailed from hailed from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.

A serving Indian Army officer consoling father of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad of 34 Rashtriya Rifles, who lost his life fighting terrorists in Shopian in Kulgam district of J&K.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/Indian Army)

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Commanding Officer of the 162 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army, said that late Lance Naik Nazir Wani, who will be awarded the Ashoka Chakra, gives the country the message that we have to move forward together.

Wani, 38, hailed from hailed from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. A militant-turned-soldier, Wani had joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004.

On 25 November, Wani lost his life in a counter-terror operation against six terrorists in Hirapur village near Batgund, in J&K’s Shopian, PTI reported. Under intense hail of bullets from the terrorists, he eliminated the 'district commander' of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and one foreign terrorist in a daring display of raw courage.

In the ensuing gunfight, he was hit multiple times, including on his head. He also injured another terrorist before succumbing to his grievous wounds.

“He is one of the Kashmir youths who gives us the message that we have to move forward for the country together with such courage. It is a proud moment for us.”

Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Commanding Officer of the 162 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army told ANI.

Wani will be conferred with the Ashok Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, posthumously on Saturday by President Ram Nath Kovind.

"He always had the interest of the nation in his heart. He operated with the Rashtriya Rifles units in Kashmir. Throughout his active life, he always willingly faced grave potential threats and was a source of inspiration for others," one of Wani’s colleagues told PTI.

Wani was a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018.

Apart from his wife, Mahajabeen, Wani is survived by two sons, Athar (20) and Shaid (18).

‘He Was My Guiding Light’: Wani’s Wife

Mahajabeen, Wani’s wife, told PTI of his immense love for her, and that his fearless persona were a source of motivation for her to encourage youngsters to become good citizens.

"I did not cry when I was told he is no more. There was an inner resolve which did not allow me to cry," she said after the government announced the Ashoka Chakra.

“He loved me so much. For me, he was my guiding light. He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people’s problems. As a teacher, I am dedicating myself to creating good citizens for my state. Leading the young minds in the right direction is my resolve and I am drawing inspiration for it from my beloved husband - the best in the world.”

Mahajabeen

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)