New Delhi, Jan 26: Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who was killed during an anti-militancy operation in Shopian in south Kashmir in November, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind Saturday.
The award — India’s highest peacetime gallantry honour — was received by Wani’s wife and mother at the Republic Day celebrations at Rajpath. Wani is the first Kashmiri to be conferred the Ashoka Chakra.
On November 25, 38-year-old Wani, hailing from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, was killed in a counter-insurgency operation against six militants in Hirapur village near Batgund in Shopian.
Lance Naik Wani joined the Army’s 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004.
Wani was a recipient of the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018.
Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
