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{{Short description|Indian military personnel}}
{{Short description|Indian Kashmiri military personnel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Lance Naik]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Lance Naik]]
| name          = Nazir Ahmad Wani
| name          = Nazir Ahmad Wani
| honorific_suffix = [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|AC]], [[Sena Medal|SM]]**
| honorific_suffix = [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|AC]], [[Sena Medal|SM]]
| image        = Nazir Ahmad Wani.jpg
| image        = Nazir Ahmad Wani.jpg
| image_size    = 250 px
| image_size    = 250 px
| birth_name    = Nazir Ahmad Wani
| birth_date    = <!--{{birth date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{birth date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} if dead-->
| birth_date    = <!--{{birth date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{birth date|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD}} if dead-->
| birth_place  =  
| birth_place  = [[Cheki Ashmuji]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], India
| death_date    = <!--{{death date and age|df=yes|dYYYY|dMM|dDD|YYYY|MM|DD}}-->{{death date|df=yes|2018|11|25}} <small>(aged 38)</small>
| death_date    = <!--{{death date and age|df=yes|dYYYY|dMM|dDD|YYYY|MM|DD}}-->{{death date|df=yes|2018|11|25}} <small>(aged 38)</small>
| death_place  = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]
| death_place  = [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|J&K]], [[India]]
| placeofburial =  
| placeofburial =  
| placeofburial_label =  
| placeofburial_label =  
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}}
}}


[[Lance Naik]] '''Nazir Ahmad Wani''', [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|AC]], [[Sena Medal|SM]] [[Medal bar|& Bar]] was an [[Indian people|Indian]] soldier in the [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He was posthumously awarded the [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]], India's highest peacetime military decoration, in January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmed-wani-former-militant-who-joined-army-after-returning-to-mainstream-dies-in-encounter-tributes-pour-in-5621841.html |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in |website=Firstpost |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-nazir-wani-militant-turned-soldier-to-be-conferred-with-ashok-chakra-posthumously/324171 |title=Militant-Turned-Soldier Nazir Wani To Be Conferred With Ashok Chakra Posthumously |website=outlookindia |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-martyred-soldier-lance-naik-nazir-wani-was-a-terrorist-before-becoming-a-decorated-armyman-2689830 |title=Martyred soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani was a terrorist before becoming a decorated armyman |date=27 November 2018 |website=dna |language=en |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He was the first recipient of the Ashok Chakra award from [[Kashmir]] region of the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra">{{cite news |title=Kashmir's first Ashok Chakra for Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ashok-chakra-for-lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani/article26077991.ece |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=24 January 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
[[Lance Naik]] '''Nazir Ahmad Wani''', [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|AC]], [[Sena Medal|SM]] [[Medal bar|& Bar]] was an [[Indian people|Indian]] soldier in the [[Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry]] of the [[Indian Army]]. He was posthumously awarded the [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|Ashoka Chakra]], India's highest peacetime military decoration, in January 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=187777|website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmed-wani-former-militant-who-joined-army-after-returning-to-mainstream-dies-in-encounter-tributes-pour-in-5621841.html |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in |website=Firstpost |date=27 November 2018 |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-nazir-wani-militant-turned-soldier-to-be-conferred-with-ashok-chakra-posthumously/324171 |title=Militant-Turned-Soldier Nazir Wani To Be Conferred With Ashok Chakra Posthumously |website=outlookindia |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-martyred-soldier-lance-naik-nazir-wani-was-a-terrorist-before-becoming-a-decorated-armyman-2689830 |title=Martyred soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani was a terrorist before becoming a decorated armyman |date=27 November 2018 |website=dna |language=en |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref> He was the first recipient of the Ashok Chakra award from [[Kashmir]] region of the Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]].<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra">{{cite news |title=Kashmir's first Ashok Chakra for Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ashok-chakra-for-lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani/article26077991.ece |access-date=27 January 2019 |work=The Hindu |date=24 January 2019 |language=en-IN}}</ref>


In June 2019, in a tribute to Nazir, Indian Army renamed their 'Army Goodwill School (AGS) Wuzur' to 'Shaheed Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, Ashok Chakra, Sena Medal** Army Goodwill School Wuzur'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brighterkashmir.com/army-goodwill-school-wuzur-renamed-|title= Army Goodwill School Wuzur renamed|date=2019-06-20}}</ref>
In June 2019, in a tribute to Nazir, Indian Army renamed their 'Army Goodwill School (AGS) Wuzur' to 'Shaheed Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, Ashok Chakra, Sena Medal** Army Goodwill School Wuzur'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brighterkashmir.com/army-goodwill-school-wuzur-renamed-|title= Army Goodwill School Wuzur renamed|date=2019-06-20}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Nazir was a resident of [[Cheki Ashmuji]] village, [[Kulgam district]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]].<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/a-terrorist-who-became-a-decorated-armyman-dies-fighting-for-nation/articleshow/66818835.cms|title=A terrorist who became a decorated Armyman dies fighting for nation|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 November 2018|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> In the early 1990s, when Wani was a young boy, he weaved [[Kashmiri rug|Kashmiri carpets]] for a monthly salary of few hundred [[Indian rupee|rupees]]. When the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|insurgency]] broke out in the 1990s, it impacted their work and finding work became a struggle.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019">{{cite news |title=Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/nazir-ahmad-wani-from-militancy-to-ashok-chakra-this-soldier-from-kashmir-braved-a-hard-life-and-bullets-5959501.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Firstpost |date=25 January 2019}}</ref>
Nazir was a resident of [[Cheki Ashmuji]] village in the [[Kulgam district]] of the [[Kashmir Valley]] of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]] into a [[Kashmiri Muslim]] family of the [[Wani (surname)|Wani]] clan.<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/a-terrorist-who-became-a-decorated-armyman-dies-fighting-for-nation/articleshow/66818835.cms|title=A terrorist who became a decorated Armyman dies fighting for nation|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 November 2018|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref> In the early 1990s, when Wani was a young boy, he weaved [[Kashmiri rug|Kashmiri carpets]] for a monthly salary of few hundred [[Indian rupee|rupees]]. When the [[Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir|insurgency]] broke out in the 1990s, it impacted their work and finding work became a struggle.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019">{{cite news |title=Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/nazir-ahmad-wani-from-militancy-to-ashok-chakra-this-soldier-from-kashmir-braved-a-hard-life-and-bullets-5959501.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Firstpost |date=25 January 2022}}</ref>


=== Militancy ===
=== Militancy ===
According to a senior Army officer who spoke to ''[[The Times of India]]'', "Wani was a terrorist initially and became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence".<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan /> He then surrendered and became a part of the [[Ikhwan (Kashmir)|Ikhwan]], a pro-government militia group led by Javed Ahmad Shah in late 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/nazir-ahmad-wani-from-militancy-to-ashok-chakra-this-soldier-from-kashmir-braved-a-hard-life-and-bullets-5959501.html|title=Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ashoka-chakra-lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani-5552977/ |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to be posthumously conferred with Ashoka Chakra |date=23 January 2019 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN |access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> According to Wani's brother Mushtaq, Wani had joined Ikhwan "out of his free will, and that of God, nothing else". Three militia groups of that time had merged to form the Ikhwan to fight against the militancy.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" /> In 2002 the state government of Jammu and Kashmir under [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]] disbanded the Ikhwan, which led to the loss of livelihood for its members. By then Wani had a wife and two children.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" />
According to a senior Army officer who spoke to ''[[The Times of India]]'', "Wani was a terrorist initially and became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence".<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan /> He then surrendered and became a part of the [[Ikhwan (Kashmir)|Ikhwan]], a pro-government militia group led by Javed Ahmad Shah in late 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/nazir-ahmad-wani-from-militancy-to-ashok-chakra-this-soldier-from-kashmir-braved-a-hard-life-and-bullets-5959501.html|title=Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ashoka-chakra-lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani-5552977/ |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to be posthumously conferred with Ashoka Chakra |date=23 January 2019 |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref> According to Wani's brother Mushtaq, Wani had joined Ikhwan "out of his free will, and that of God, nothing else". Three militia groups of that time had merged to form the Ikhwan to fight against the militancy.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" /> In 2002 the state government of Jammu and Kashmir under [[Mufti Mohammad Sayeed]] disbanded the Ikhwan, which led to the loss of livelihood for its members. By then Wani had a wife and two children.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" />


==Military service==
==Military service==
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===Operation Batagund===
===Operation Batagund===
{{anchor|Operation Batagund}}
{{anchor|Operation Batagund}}
On 25 November 2018, a counter-terrorist operation known as Operation Batagund was launched by 34 Rashtriya Rifles at [[Hirpora]] village near [[Batagund]], [[Shopian district]].<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra" /> After intelligence relating to the presence of senior [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] terrorists in the area was received, a cordon and search operation was initiated at midnight by a joint team of security forces consisting of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]], army units and [[Central Reserve Police Force]] in the area.<ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six">{{cite news |title=Six terrorists killed in Shopian encounter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jk-four-terrorists-killed-in-kulgam-encounter/articleshow/66791767.cms |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=25 November 2018}}</ref><ref name="Tribune2018" /> The terrorists then fired upon the forces after which the forces retaliated.<ref name="IT_BloodyBattle">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-and-kashmir-12-terrorists-neutralised-in-less-than-72-hours-1395701-2018-11-25|title=Bloody gun battle, clashes in Kashmir leave 6 militants, jawan and civilian dead|date=25 November 2018|access-date=28 January 2019|work=India Today|last3=Wani|first3=Shuja-ul-Haq Ashraf}}</ref><ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six" />
On 25 November 2018, a counter-terrorist operation known as Operation Batagund was launched by 34 Rashtriya Rifles at [[Hirpora]] village near [[Batagund]], [[Shopian district]].<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra" /> After intelligence relating to the presence of senior [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] terrorists in the area was received, a cordon and search operation was initiated at midnight by a joint team of security forces consisting of the [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]], army units and [[Central Reserve Police Force]] in the area.<ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six">{{cite news |title=Six terrorists killed in Shopian encounter |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/jk-four-terrorists-killed-in-kulgam-encounter/articleshow/66791767.cms |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Times of India |date=25 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="Tribune2018" /> The terrorists then fired upon the forces after which the forces retaliated.<ref name="IT_BloodyBattle">{{cite news|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/jammu-and-kashmir-12-terrorists-neutralised-in-less-than-72-hours-1395701-2018-11-25|title=Bloody gun battle, clashes in Kashmir leave 6 militants, jawan and civilian dead|date=25 November 2018|access-date=28 January 2019|work=India Today|last3=Wani|first3=Shuja-ul-Haq Ashraf}}</ref><ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six" />


At 12:25 am, according to an army officer, one of the soldiers was hit. The soldier fell near the garage of a house. Under covering fire provided by his fellow soldiers hiding behind walnut trees, Wani attempted to pull the injured soldier to safety. In the meantime, the terrorists kept firing at them and changing their positions. Despite being under fire, Wani pulled out the wounded soldier.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" />
At 12:25 am, according to an army officer, one of the soldiers was hit. The soldier fell near the garage of a house. Under covering fire provided by his fellow soldiers hiding behind walnut trees, Wani attempted to pull the injured soldier to safety. In the meantime, the terrorists kept firing at them and changing their positions. Despite being under fire, Wani pulled out the wounded soldier.<ref name="Firstpost_Nazir_2019" />
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* One foreign terrorist from Pakistan.
* One foreign terrorist from Pakistan.


The bodies of all six terrorists were retrieved.<ref name="IT_BloodyBattle" /> A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered.<ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six" /> Police stated that terrorist Abbas Bhat who was killed, was wanted in connection with the murder of Lt. [[Ummer Fayaz]], who was abducted and murdered by terrorists in May 2017.<ref name="Tribune2018">{{cite news |title=Army soldier, 6 militants killed in gunfight in Shopian district of J&K |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/army-soldier-6-militants-killed-in-gunfight-in-shopian-district-of-j-k/688674.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Tribune |date=25 November 2018}}</ref>
The bodies of all six terrorists were retrieved.<ref name="IT_BloodyBattle" /> A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered.<ref name="TimesofIndia_2018six" /> Police stated that terrorist Abbas Bhat who was killed, was wanted in connection with the murder of Lt. [[Ummer Fayaz]], who was abducted and murdered by terrorists in May 2017.<ref name="Tribune2018">{{cite news |title=Army soldier, 6 militants killed in gunfight in Shopian district of J&K |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jammu-kashmir/army-soldier-6-militants-killed-in-gunfight-in-shopian-district-of-j-k/688674.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Tribune |date=25 November 2022}}</ref>


==Funeral==
==Funeral==
On 26 November, Wani's body was taken to his family at Chak Ashmuji, wrapped in the Indian flag. During the funeral ceremony attended by 500–600 people, Wani was accorded a [[21-gun salute]] while his body was lowered into his grave.<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan /><ref name="Firstpost_Funeral">{{cite news |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmed-wani-former-militant-who-joined-army-after-returning-to-mainstream-dies-in-encounter-tributes-pour-in-5621841.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Firstpost |date=27 November 2018}}</ref>
On 26 November, Wani's body was taken to his family at Chak Ashmuji, wrapped in the Indian flag. During the funeral ceremony attended by 500–600 people, Wani was accorded a [[21-gun salute]] while his body was lowered into his grave.<ref name=timesofIndia2019Jan /><ref name="Firstpost_Funeral">{{cite news |title=Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmed-wani-former-militant-who-joined-army-after-returning-to-mainstream-dies-in-encounter-tributes-pour-in-5621841.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Firstpost |date=27 November 2022}}</ref>


==Ashoka Chakra==
==Ashoka Chakra==
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The Ashoka Chakra citation reads as follows:
The Ashoka Chakra citation reads as follows:
{{Reduced pull quote |width=70em |quote=
{{Reduced pull quote |width=70em |quote=
<center>'''CITATION'''<br>
{{center|'''CITATION'''<br>
'''LANCE NAIK NAZIR AHMAD WANI, BAR TO SENA MEDAL'''<br>   
'''LANCE NAIK NAZIR AHMAD WANI, BAR TO SENA MEDAL'''<br>   
'''THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY/34TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES '''<br></center>
'''THE JAMMU AND KASHMIR LIGHT INFANTRY/34TH BATTALION THE RASHTRIYA RIFLES '''<br>}}
Since his enrolment in the Army, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, SM, epitomised qualities of a fine soldier. He always volunteered for challenging missions, displaying great courage under adverse conditions, exposing himself to grave danger on numerous occasions in the line of duty. This is evident from the two gallantry awards conferred on him earlier.
Since his enrolment in the Army, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, SM, epitomised qualities of a fine soldier. He always volunteered for challenging missions, displaying great courage under adverse conditions, exposing himself to grave danger on numerous occasions in the line of duty. This is evident from the two gallantry awards conferred on him earlier.


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Thereafter, displaying exemplary soldierly skills, Lance Naik Nazir closed in with the target house under heavy fire and lobbed grenades into a room where another terrorist was hiding. Seeing the foreign terrorist escaping from the window, the NCO encountered him in a hand to hand combat situation. Despite being severely wounded, Lance Naik Nazir eliminated the terrorist. Showing utter disregard to his injury, Lance Naik Nazir continued to engage the remaining terrorists with same ferocity and audacity. He injured yet another terrorist at close range, but was hit again and succumbed to his injuries.
Thereafter, displaying exemplary soldierly skills, Lance Naik Nazir closed in with the target house under heavy fire and lobbed grenades into a room where another terrorist was hiding. Seeing the foreign terrorist escaping from the window, the NCO encountered him in a hand to hand combat situation. Despite being severely wounded, Lance Naik Nazir eliminated the terrorist. Showing utter disregard to his injury, Lance Naik Nazir continued to engage the remaining terrorists with same ferocity and audacity. He injured yet another terrorist at close range, but was hit again and succumbed to his injuries.


For displaying unparalleled bravery and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, SM is awarded “ASHOK CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)”.<ref name="AshokChakra">{{cite web|url=http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2019/jan/p201912504.pdf|title=ASHOK CHAKRA LANCE NAIK NAZIR AHMAD WANI, BAR TO SENA MEDAL|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> }}
For displaying unparalleled bravery and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, SM is awarded “ASHOK CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)”.<ref name="AshokChakra">{{cite web|url=http://pibphoto.nic.in/documents/rlink/2019/jan/p201912504.pdf|title=ASHOK CHAKRA LANCE NAIK NAZIR AHMAD WANI, BAR TO SENA MEDAL|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref> }}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Nazir is survived by his wife Mahajabeen who worked as a teacher and two sons, Athar and Shaid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i-did-not-cry-when-i-heard-he-is-no-more-says-wife-of-ashoka-chakra-awardee-nazir-wani-1439041-2019-01-25|title=I did not cry when I heard he is no more, says wife of Ashoka Chakra awardee Nazir Wani|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph2019">{{cite news |title=In finest hour, nobody came, why should they? |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani-sena-medal-and-first-kashmiri-to-get-ashoka-chakra-had-many-militant-kills-to-his-credit/cid/1682748 |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=25 January 2019 }}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' reported that "Wani comes from a humble background and had worked for the benefit of the underprivileged section in his village and surrounding area."<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra" />
Nazir is survived by his wife Mahajabeen who worked as a teacher and two sons, Athar and Shaid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/i-did-not-cry-when-i-heard-he-is-no-more-says-wife-of-ashoka-chakra-awardee-nazir-wani-1439041-2019-01-25|title=I did not cry when I heard he is no more, says wife of Ashoka Chakra awardee Nazir Wani|date=25 January 2019|access-date=26 January 2022}}</ref><ref name="Telegraph2019">{{cite news |title=In finest hour, nobody came, why should they? |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/lance-naik-nazir-ahmad-wani-sena-medal-and-first-kashmiri-to-get-ashoka-chakra-had-many-militant-kills-to-his-credit/cid/1682748 |access-date=28 January 2019 |work=The Telegraph |date=25 January 2019 }}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' reported that "Wani comes from a humble background and had worked for the benefit of the underprivileged section in his village and surrounding area."<ref name="Hindu_FirstAshokChakra" />
{{Cquote|quote=He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people’s problems…. He always wanted to make his battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community.|author=Mahajabeen, Wani's wife |source=<ref name="Telegraph2019" />}}
{{Cquote|quote=He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people’s problems…. He always wanted to make his battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community.|author=Mahajabeen, Wani's wife |source=<ref name="Telegraph2019" />}}


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[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian Muslims]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)]]
[[Category:Ashoka Chakra]]
[[Category:Ashoka Chakra]]

Revision as of 18:53, 8 October 2022


Lance Naik

Nazir Ahmad Wani

AC, SM
Birth nameNazir Ahmad Wani
BornCheki Ashmuji, J&K, India
Died(2018-11-25)25 November 2018 (aged 38)
Srinagar, J&K, India
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service2004–2018
Rank Lance Naik
Service number12974389N
Unit Rashtriya Rifles (deputed)
162 Inf Bn (TA) JAK LI[1]
Awards Ashok Chakra (2019)
Bar to Sena Medal (2018)
Sena Medal (2007)

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, AC, SM & Bar was an Indian soldier in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry of the Indian Army. He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime military decoration, in January 2019.[2][3][4][5] He was the first recipient of the Ashok Chakra award from Kashmir region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.[6]

In June 2019, in a tribute to Nazir, Indian Army renamed their 'Army Goodwill School (AGS) Wuzur' to 'Shaheed Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, Ashok Chakra, Sena Medal** Army Goodwill School Wuzur'.[7]

Early life

Nazir was a resident of Cheki Ashmuji village in the Kulgam district of the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India into a Kashmiri Muslim family of the Wani clan.[8] In the early 1990s, when Wani was a young boy, he weaved Kashmiri carpets for a monthly salary of few hundred rupees. When the insurgency broke out in the 1990s, it impacted their work and finding work became a struggle.[9]

Militancy

According to a senior Army officer who spoke to The Times of India, "Wani was a terrorist initially and became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence".[8] He then surrendered and became a part of the Ikhwan, a pro-government militia group led by Javed Ahmad Shah in late 1994.[10][11] According to Wani's brother Mushtaq, Wani had joined Ikhwan "out of his free will, and that of God, nothing else". Three militia groups of that time had merged to form the Ikhwan to fight against the militancy.[9] In 2002 the state government of Jammu and Kashmir under Mufti Mohammad Sayeed disbanded the Ikhwan, which led to the loss of livelihood for its members. By then Wani had a wife and two children.[9]

Military service

Nazir joined 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army), a Territorial Army battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, in 2004.[8] He was awarded Sena Medal in 2007 for gallantry and for a second time in 2018, for killing a terrorist in close combat.[12][13][6] He took part in several major counter-insurgency operations in which top terrorists were either arrested or killed.[14] According to one of his relatives, Wani had killed around thirty terrorists including some major terrorists.[15]

At the time of his death, Wani's battalion, 162 Infantry Battalion TA was attached to the 34th battalion, Rashtriya Rifles while conducting counter-insurgency operations.[6]

Throughout his active life, he always willingly faced grave potential threats and was a source of inspiration for others.

— Colonel Rajesh Kalia, officiating Defence spokesman of the Northern Command Headquarters, Indian Army, [16]

Operation Batagund

On 25 November 2018, a counter-terrorist operation known as Operation Batagund was launched by 34 Rashtriya Rifles at Hirpora village near Batagund, Shopian district.[6] After intelligence relating to the presence of senior Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the area was received, a cordon and search operation was initiated at midnight by a joint team of security forces consisting of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, army units and Central Reserve Police Force in the area.[17][18] The terrorists then fired upon the forces after which the forces retaliated.[19][17]

At 12:25 am, according to an army officer, one of the soldiers was hit. The soldier fell near the garage of a house. Under covering fire provided by his fellow soldiers hiding behind walnut trees, Wani attempted to pull the injured soldier to safety. In the meantime, the terrorists kept firing at them and changing their positions. Despite being under fire, Wani pulled out the wounded soldier.[9]

During the gunfight, Wani entered the house and killed the district commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and another foreign terrorist. Wani received multiple wounds on his body and head, but despite his injuries, Wani shot and injured a third terrorist.[6] The other soldiers had entered the building by then and killed the remaining terrorists.[9] First aid was immediately provided for his injuries and he was taken to hospital where he died due to his wounds.[8]

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the six terrorists killed in the operation belonged to Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Taiba and were identified as:[18][19]

  • Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, alias Hammad, district commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba for Shopian district
  • Mohammad Abass Bhatt of Cheki Mantribugh Shopian
  • Umar Majeed Ganai, alias Maaz, alias Abu Hanzalla, of South Kulgam
  • Mohammad Waseem Wagay, alias Saifullah, of Amshipora, district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen for Shopian district
  • Khalid Farooq Malik, alias Rafi, of Aliyalpora, Shopian, the district commander of Hizbul Mujahideen for Kulgam district
  • One foreign terrorist from Pakistan.

The bodies of all six terrorists were retrieved.[19] A large number of weapons and ammunition were recovered.[17] Police stated that terrorist Abbas Bhat who was killed, was wanted in connection with the murder of Lt. Ummer Fayaz, who was abducted and murdered by terrorists in May 2017.[18]

Funeral

On 26 November, Wani's body was taken to his family at Chak Ashmuji, wrapped in the Indian flag. During the funeral ceremony attended by 500–600 people, Wani was accorded a 21-gun salute while his body was lowered into his grave.[8][20]

Ashoka Chakra

On 26 January 2019 on Republic Day, President Ram Nath Kovind posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra to Nazir Ahmad Wani. The award was accepted by his wife Mahajabeen at an official ceremony during the Delhi Republic Day parade.[21] He was the first recipient of the Ashok Chakra award from the Kashmir region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.[6]

Nazir Ahmad Wani's widow (right) receives the Ashoka Chakra from president Ram Nath Kovind on 26 January 2019.

The Ashoka Chakra citation reads as follows: Template:Reduced pull quote

Personal life

Nazir is survived by his wife Mahajabeen who worked as a teacher and two sons, Athar and Shaid.[22][15] The Hindu reported that "Wani comes from a humble background and had worked for the benefit of the underprivileged section in his village and surrounding area."[6]

He always encouraged all of us to make people around us happy, to resolve people’s problems…. He always wanted to make his battalion proud. For him, duty was supreme. He was a source of inspiration for people in our area and community.

— Mahajabeen, Wani's wife, [15]

References

  1. ↑ @adgpi (25 January 2019). "25 Nov 2018. Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani while operating at #Batagund inspite of being mortally wounded personally killed two militants. Displayed conspicuous bravery. Awarded #AshokaChakra(P)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ "411 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". pib.nic.in. Press Information Bureau, Government of India.
  3. ↑ "Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in". Firstpost. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  4. ↑ "Militant-Turned-Soldier Nazir Wani To Be Conferred With Ashok Chakra Posthumously". outlookindia. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  5. ↑ "Martyred soldier Lance Naik Nazir Wani was a terrorist before becoming a decorated armyman". dna. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "Kashmir's first Ashok Chakra for Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani". The Hindu. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  7. ↑ "Army Goodwill School Wuzur renamed". 20 June 2019.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 "A terrorist who became a decorated Armyman dies fighting for nation". The Times of India. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 "Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets". Firstpost. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Nazir Ahmad Wani: From militancy to Ashok Chakra, this soldier from Kashmir braved a hard life and bullets". 25 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  11. ↑ "Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to be posthumously conferred with Ashoka Chakra". The Indian Express. 23 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  12. ↑ "Independence Day gallantry awards and other decorations". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  13. ↑ "Independence Day Gallantry Awards and Other Decorations". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  14. ↑ "Who was Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani? Nation pays tribute to militant-turned-Armyman killed in J&K". International Business Times. 27 November 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 "In finest hour, nobody came, why should they?". The Telegraph. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  16. ↑ "Nazir Wani to be first Kashmiri officer to get Ashok Chakra: All you need to know about terrorist-turned-Armyman". DNA India. 25 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Six terrorists killed in Shopian encounter". The Times of India. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "Army soldier, 6 militants killed in gunfight in Shopian district of J&K". The Tribune. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 "Bloody gun battle, clashes in Kashmir leave 6 militants, jawan and civilian dead". India Today. 25 November 2018. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  20. ↑ "Lance Naik Nazir Ahmed Wani: Former militant who joined army after returning to mainstream dies in encounter, tributes pour in". Firstpost. 27 November 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  21. ↑ "In pictures: The 70th Republic Day highlights women". The Hindu. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  22. ↑ "I did not cry when I heard he is no more, says wife of Ashoka Chakra awardee Nazir Wani". 25 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2022.

Further reading

External links

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