Slain Army commando's wife plans to join the force

Swati Mahadik, wife of Army commando Col Santosh Mahadik, who was killed during an anti-militancy operation in Jammu and Kashmir, is all set to follow her husband's footsteps into the Army.

Col Mahadik and his men were ambushed on November 17 last year when they were combing forests near the LoC for infiltrating militants. Mahadik was awarded Shaurya Chakra posthumously on the Republic Day.

Swati, a mother of two appeared for the Services Selection Board (SSB) and has cleared the written examination and interview. However, the merit list is not out yet, sources said.

She had decided to appear for the SSB exams following relaxation of age by the government.
 

"The final list should be out soon. Only then can we know the status of her application. If she clears, Swati Mahadik has to go to Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai where women officers are trained.

"It is after her training that she will be posted as per her request and requirement," said a senior official.