Sonal Chaturvedi - The Real Wani Kashmirs True Hero: A Definitive Biography of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani

Remembering Shaheed Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani

My first interaction with Nazir was in 2005 when I went to Kashmir as the company commander (CC). He was a recently recruited Ikhwani in my team. With his demeanour and discipline, he stood out amongst all. Even with minimal army training, he was physically fit, very sharp in conducting operations and generous. Once he was taught something, it never had to be repeated. In no time, he became a part of my core team.

In the years of working together, there were many incidents that portrayed his bravery, selflessness and devotion towards the country and the armed forces. His medals are proof of this.

The impression that Nazir made during my tenure as the CC steered me to get him in my team once again in 2013 when I joined the same team as the commanding officer (CO).

As a Kashmiri, it is a difficult task to work in the army and to be selfless towards the organisation. When the family stays in the vicinity, their safety too is a critical concern. But Nazir balanced duty towards the nation and home beautifully.

How effectively and compassionately you deal with situations and the categorisation of a good officer or bad officer depends a lot on the team you have around you. Nazir played a major role in the success of our team. He was frank in his opinions and was a straightforward man. He was not just a subordinate, but also a buddy to me.

We as a country are blessed to have men like Nazir whose dedication towards the service is undeterred, no matter what may come.

Colonel Parmvir Singh Jamwal

Commanding Officer

Martyr Lance Naik (L/Nk) Nazir Wani, Ashok Chakra (AC), Sena Medal (SM**), served under me between 2016 and 2018. He was indeed a great soldier, and writing about him feels just like writing about my own family member or brother.

He undisputedly held a great persona of a dignified soldier and a comrade. In my opinion, any soldier who has a distinctive military bearing and a humane attitude, which duly complements it, is the ultimate. Nazir was indeed a very tough soldier but with very pious, humane qualities. Always truthful and faithful, Nazir was a wonderful human being. He was shy but straightforward, polite but very firm and truthful.

Being a Kashmiri and operating near his hometown, with his family staying at the same place, demands a very high level of balance. And this balance was between integrity to the organisation and a hostile environment to deal with. I still wonder how he managed it so well without ever losing his composure.

Nazir, my buddy, was courageous to the extreme. He left me amused in many operations where I found him volunteering for grenade lobbying, house entry and chasing militants without any concern for his personal safety. In an operation near Kund village, while chasing a blood trail, we spotted a militant hiding in a cliff and Nazir immediately brushed me aside saying, Sahab, aap peeche hato (Sir, please move back), and took the lead and engaged him from close range. This reflects his immense qualities of leadership and camaraderie for which I will be indebted to him forever.

A superb soldier, a kind human being and a brother, L/Nk Nazir Wani has left us with deep sorrow but with immense fond memories full of inspiration and great learning as a comrade-in-arms.

RIP and salute bro.

See you up there to plan another operation...

Colonel Akhil Mendhe

Commanding Officer

THE REAL WANI

KASHMIRS TRUE HERO

THE REAL WANI

KASHMIRS TRUE HERO

A Definitive Biography of
Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani

Sonal Chaturvedi

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First published in India 2020

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To Mahajabeena,
The Strong One

CONTENTS

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani

Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of the man. The biography of the man himself cannot be written.

Mark Twain

I t was 24 January 2019 when I read the headline:

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani to be conferred with Ashok Chakra.

It was big news; he was the first man from the Kashmir Valley to receive the honour. But the thought of penning down his journey didnt occur to me then. Later, as we were discussing our day at the dinner table, it was my husband Ashutosh who said, You must write his biography.

It was then that I started to search for a way to connect with Mahajabeena, his wife. I got her number two days later and gave her a call. However, it took several more calls and a whole month before I actually got the chance to meet her.

I sat beside Mahajabeena in the same room that Nazir used to stay in when they shifted to their summer capitalJammu. It was a simply done room; a wall-to-wall Kashmiri carpet was spread out on the floor, a mattress with bolsters for seating, light green walls, one of which had Nazirs photograph hanging on it.

This is the first day that I have unlocked the room since Nazir left us, she said.

We didnt say anything for some time. I suppose we both were gathering courage. I am thankful to you for letting me write such an important part of you. Nazir was a part of her now. She smiled a little, I just want his story to be told. And since we talked on the phone, I knew somehow that I can trust you with this. It was something that she had told me several times on call, but hearing this in person overwhelmed me. She had lost Nazir only a few months back and yet the strength and warmth of her character was something that I wish we all could imbibe. These are not just words, but our meeting that day and subsequent interactions made me respect her even more. She has shown the courage that cannot be put in words.