They fought, fought with bravery, and left the nation inspired with their everlasting legacy
Ashoka Chakra, which is the highest peacetime military decoration for valour, courageous action or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield, was awarded to Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life fighting a group of terrorists in Shopian in Kashmir in November. Wani's wife Mahajabeen received the honour on his behalf by President Kovind.
Wani is the first Kashmiri to be conferred the Ashoka Chakra.
Wani had joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004.
On November 25, 38 years old Wani, hailing from Cheki Ashmuji in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, lost his life in a counter-terror operation against six terrorists in Hirapur village near Batgund in Shopian. According to the citation, Wani had single-handedly killed two terrorists during the Shopian operation and injured a third one despite receiving serious injuries.
The committed soldier, Ahmad Wani survived by his wife and two sons, Athar (20) and Shaid (18), was also conferred with the Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018. The 2018 Sena Medal was awarded to him for eliminating a terrorist from very close range.
The recipients of the prestigious Kirti Chakra award were Major Tushar Gauba, Sowar Vijay Kumar (posthumous), Rajendra Kumar Nain (posthumous) and Pradip Kumar Panda (posthumous) for their unparalleled bravery.
The Shaurya Chakra, the third highest peacetime gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra and the Kirti Chakra, awardees included Lieutenant Colonel Vikrant Prasher of 10 Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), Major Amit Kumar Dimri from 14 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Imliakum Keitzar from 4th Gorkha Rifles, Major Rohit Lingwal of 9th battalion, Parachute Regiment and Captain Abhay Sharma, first battalion, Parachute Regiment, along with 4 more army men.
On a related note, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat is among 19 senior army officials who have been conferred the Param Vishisht Seva Medal which is the highest military medal awarded in recognition of peace-time services not relating to gallantry.
