by Tasavur Mushtaq
SRINAGAR: On November 25, 2018, when a fierce gun battle between militants and counter-insurgency forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian led to the killing of eight persons, including six militants, an army man and a civilian, the security grid termed it as a major successive success of the month. However, they regretted the killing of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani.
Nazir, army says was a highly decorated soldier of the 162 Territorial Army operating with 34 Rashtriya Rifles. A native of Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district, he was awarded the Sena medal twice.
Two months after his death, Nazir has become the first Kashmiri to be chosen for the Ashoka Chakra, the country’s highest peacetime gallantry award. President Ram Nath Kovind would present the award to his wife, Mehjabeen.
Militancy, Ikhwan and Army
It dates back to over two decades when Nazir was operating as a militant. Changing loyalties, he became part of dreaded group of renegades, commonly known as Ikhwan. A native of Cheki Ashmuji, a stronghold of Communist party leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Nazir later joined the 162 Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army in 2004. The battalion turned out to be a safe haven for Ikhwanis. On condition of anonymity, a local said Nazir had killed around two dozen militants. Enduring death threats, he shifted to a well-protected colony at Kulgam district headquarters. His parents and three brothers continued to live in their native village.
The Killing
Nazir lost life along with six militants and a civilian early Sunday morning on November 25, last year. The army spokesman said ‘Nazir fought fiercely, displayed courage, took many hits and eliminated the district commander of the LeT before falling.”
Praising his valour, the army said “he was the hero right from the beginning and this is evident from when he got Sena Medal in 2007 and 2018,” the year of his killing.”
His wife, Mehjabeen was not home when Nazir fell to the bullets. Married in late nineties, when they met, it was love at first sight. The couple had two sons, Athar and Shaid.
Proud of her slain husband, Mehjabeen, a teacher by profession says “he valued his duty most and wanted to make his battalion proud.”
The Award
As Nazir became first Kashmiri to have the India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the response in his village is insignificant. The family did not see anybody complimenting them for the feat. Though his village has no militant presence, but the award still seems not relevant during the present situation. As per locals, the family has left for Delhi to attend the award ceremony.
Highest peacetime military decoration awarded for valour, Ashok Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra, and is awarded for the “most conspicuous bravery or some daring or pre-eminent valour or self-sacrifice”.
Khuda ke baad, iss indian Dharti pur koi hai tow Nazir Wani aur Aurangzeb jaise Shoorveeron ko mein apna sar jhuka kar salaam karta hoon! RIP Brothers. Your Matyrdom shall not go waste. Some stupid kids of the Valley will soon realise their folly. Jo India mein reh kar, Mother India ka nahin, just like bhindrawale, vo apni ma ka sagaa nahin, apni community ka sagaa nahin. The Valley has the Lousiest Bunch of Leaders of India! They can only instigate or appease but never enrich the Valley. Such disgusting characters. Ek se Badh kar Ek ….
The anti national Naxalites ko Modi ne set kar diya hai. These naxalites were found to be rolling in money just like the Valley Leaders. These Leaders have not worked for a single day in their life. Yet they fly around all over. Where is the money coming from?
Or please let me know the trick so that my life becomes a bit easier. LoL