Martyr Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani becomes Kashmir's first awardee of Ashok Chakra - Nation's highest peacetime gallantry award

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani will be posthumously awarded the ‘Ashok Chakra’ on the occasion of 70th Republic Day. Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime military decoration for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.

Lance Naik Wani will be the first from Kashmir to be conferred the highest peacetime military gallantry award. 

The President of India Ram Nath Kovind will present the ‘Ashok Charka’ to the brave martyr’s wife Mrs Mahajabeen.

Lance Naik Wani, during a fierce gunbattle against the terrorists on November 25, laid down his life for the country. During a counter-terrorist operation against six terrorists, the Lance Naik came under intense firing. Amidst the battle showing great bravery, he eliminated the district commander of the LeT and one foreign terrorist. He also injured another terrorist before succumbing to his grievous injuries.

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Lance Naik Wani joined the Indian Army in 2004 at a very young age. He became part of the 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army / Home and Hearth), Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry. He was a part of a number of anti-terror operations in South Kashmir. 

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani later joined the Rashtriya Rifles units in Kashmir. 

His extraordinarily fearless and courageous persona was reflected in getting the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018. The 2018 Sena Medal was given for eliminating one terrorist from a very close distance.

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani was a resident of Cheki Ashmuji of Kulgam district Jammu and Kashmir. He was from a humble background and worked for the underprivileged section of society. He was well aware of the issues his village and its surrounding areas faced.

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

The Republic Day will be celebrated on January 26, Saturday, with a lot of pomp.

As a befitting tribute from the country to father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary, the tableau for this year's Republic Day will showcase life of Gandhi as a theme.

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