Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a former militant now an Ashoka Chakra awardee

New Delhi: Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, a former militant-turned-soldier who laid down his life during an anti-terror operation at Batagund village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian in November, will be awarded India’s highest peacetime gallantry medal, the Ashoka Chakra. “Lance Naik Wani 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,” a Rashtrapati Bhawan notification said Wednesday. Wani, who belonged to the 162 Territorial Army Battalion of the Indian Army, has been a recipient of Sena Medal twice. His wife will receive the Ashok Chakra at the Republic Day Parade on 26 January. Source: The Print