New Delhi, January 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met the family of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani at the "At Home" function at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Lance Naik Wani lost his life while killing six terrorists in a counter-insurgency operation at Shopian in Kashmir in November last year was awarded the Ashok Chakra (posthumously), India's highest peacetime gallantry award today at the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi. The widow of the martyred soldier Mahajabeen received the award from President Ram Nath Kovind. Republic Day 2019: Militant-Turned-Army Man Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani From Kashmir Gets Ashoka Chakra.

On November 25, 38-year-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. Under an intense hail of bullets from the terrorists, he eliminated the 'district commander' of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and one foreign terrorist in a daring display of raw courage, officials said. In the ensuing gunfight, he was hit multiple times including on his head. He also injured another terrorist before succumbing to his grievous wounds, they said.

Lance Naik Wani joined the Army's 162 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2004 and was attached to 34th Battalion of Rashtriya Rifles. He was also conferred with Sena Medal for gallantry twice in 2007 and 2018. The 2018 Sena Medal was given for eliminating a terrorist from a very close range. Lance Naik Wani is survived by his wife and two sons, Athar (20) and Shaid (18).

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 26, 2019 08:11 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).