Jahangeer Ganaie

Slain Army man of Kulgam was once an ‘OGW’

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Kulgam: The slain Army man who was killed in during an encounter between government forces and militants was laid to rest in his native village in Cheki Ashmuji area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Nazir Ahmad Wani was killed in encounter at Batgund Shopian where six Hizb and Lashkar militants were killed during an encounter on Sunday morning.
Wani received bullet injuries during a fierce operation and according to officials evacuated to 92 Base hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
According to locals, Wani was an Over Ground Worker (OGW) in 90’s who later became an Ikhwani and after that joined the Army in the year 2004.
Wani was accused in two local civilian killings and three militant killings in late 90’s, locals said.
As per Army officials, Wani has been twice awarded with Sena Medal for gallantry in the year 2007 and 2018.
As per locals, around one hundred people mainly his relatives participated in his funeral prayers.
Belonging to a well-off family, Wani is survived by his wife and two children, locals added.
Wrapped in tricolour, the body of the soldier was taken to his native village Ashmuji in Kulgmam and handed over to family members.
Wani was a militant initially and became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence, a senior Army officer accompanying the coffin said.
“The family was fighting tears and they were honoured by the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Wani for the nation and peace for his state,” the officer said.
After the rituals, the body was taken for burial to a nearby graveyard where 500 to 600 villagers were present. A 21-gun salute was given when Wani’s body was lowered in the grave.
He said Wani was an epitome of bravery as he continued his relentless pursuit against terrorism specifically in South Kashmir.
His battalion was attached with a unit of Rashtriya Rifles, a force carved out of the Army for fighting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. “His colleagues will always remember him for his indomitable courage and bravery which led to many successful operations,” the officer said.
Wani, 38, who died during a fierce gunfight Sunday, is survived by a wife and two children aged 20 and 18 years.


Jahangeer Ganaie

Jahangeer Ganaie is a reporter and covers regional news and can be contacted [email protected]

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