Heartbreaking Image of Martyr’s Dad Crying in Army Officer’s Arms

The soldier was killed in an encounter with militants on Monday, 26 November, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian.

The image of an elderly Kashmiri man in the arms of an Army officer, weeping for his martyred son has moved many social media users, who are sharing the photo online.

The man in the photo is the father of Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani, who was killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Monday, 26 November. Six militants were also killed in the encounter.

Wrapped in tricolour, the body of the decorated soldier was taken to his native village Ashmuji in Kashmir’s Kulgam district and handed over to his family members. The soldier was accorded the 21-gun salute as his body was lowered into the grave on Monday, reported news agency PTI.

Saluting Wani for his bravery, the Indian Army shared the image on its official Twitter handle and said, "You are not alone."

Several others, too, took to Twitter to share the photo.

Wani, who used to be militant, became a counter-insurgent after he realised the futility of violence, a senior Army officer accompanying the coffin told PTI.

"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.

He said Wani was an epitome of bravery as he continued his relentless pursuit against terrorism.

His battalion was attached to the Rashtriya Rifles, an Army unit that fights 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, is survived by a wife and two children aged 20 and 18.

(With inputs from PTI)