Terrorist-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani to be conferred with Ashok Chakra this Republic Day

The government has decided to confer a militant-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani with the prestigious Ashok Chakra.

The 38-year-old from Kulgam district of South Kashmir was a highly decorated soldier. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: On the occasion of 70th Republic Day of India, the government has decided to confer a militant-turned-soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani with the prestigious Ashok Chakra – the highest peacetime gallantry award given to a soldier. Wani, an Indian army soldier hailing from Kashmir, was killed in an ambush with militants in the Shopian encounter on 26 November. Wani left terrorist activities and joined the Territorial Army later. He was in the 34 Rashtriya Rifles during the operation in which he was martyred, and was in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment. Before joining the Indian Army, Wani was a terrorist with Ikhwan, a counter-insurgency force formed in 1990s. Ikhwan mostly consisted of former militants and fought militants. Although they dealt a blow to militancy, they were also accused of human rights violations in the Valley. Wani ultimately joined the Indian Army in 2004. “Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani exhibited the most conspicuous gallantry in personality eliminating two terrorists and assisting in the evacuation of his wounded colleagues and made supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army,” a press release from the President’s Secretariat read. During the Shopian encounter, Wani sustained several bullets and later succumbed to injuries later in a hospital. Wani was given a 21-gun salute and hundreds of villagers were present as the body was taken for burial. As per reports, the 38-year-old from Kulgam district of South Kashmir was a highly decorated soldier. He is survived by his wife and two children. Wahi has already received the Sena Medal twice for his gallantry against terrorists. Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award in the country, followed by the Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra, respectively. Last year, 4 officers and soldiers have received the Kirti Chakra while 12 others have also been awarded the Shaurya Chakra.