salaam all,

i think we all should pray for martyrdom bcoz according to one hadith even if we do not get martyred, we'll get the reward! subhan'Allah.

reasons:

sins are forgiven
no punishment in grave
can intercede for 70 relatives on Day of Judgment
72 hoors in jannah

it goes for both..men and women

when a person becomes shaheed, the soul is put in green birds of jannah and they fly whereever they like and then comes under Most Glorious- Allah's Throne

there are many reports that mujaahideen who are being martyred in Afghanistan fighting against US allies emit extraordinary perfume and street dogs do not come near their bodies.

"Think not of those who are slain in Allah's Way as dead. Nay, they are alive, finding their sustenance in the Presence of their Lord". (al-Ale' Imraan: 169)