Union Home Minister Amit Shah has mourned the demise of legendary shooter and coach Jaspal Rana, describing his passing as an ‘irreparable loss to the nation’.
Paying tribute on social media, Amit Shah praised Rana’s lifelong dedication to Indian shooting. He said the celebrated sportsperson brought glory to the country through his international achievements and later played a crucial role in nurturing young talent as a coach.
Shah extended his condolences to Rana’s family and admirers, acknowledging his immense contribution to the nation.
Deeply saddened by the demise of legendary sportsperson Jaspal Rana Ji. He dedicated his life to establishing India’s indomitable mettle in shooting by winning international honors for the nation and by nurturing young shooters as a coach. Rana Ji’s passing is an irreparable loss…
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 12, 2026
Rana, a multiple Asian Games gold medallist and one of India’s most influential shooting coaches, passed away at the age of 49, leaving the sporting fraternity in deep shock.
Widely regarded as a pioneer of Indian shooting, Rana dominated pistol events during the 1990s and 2000s. His remarkable career included gold-medal-winning performances at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games and the 2006 Doha Asian Games, alongside numerous successes at the Commonwealth Games.
Rana’s achievements helped establish India as a growing force in international shooting competitions.
After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana became one of India’s most respected coaches, mentoring stars such as Manu Bhaker and helping shape a new generation of champions. His contributions earned him the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and Dronacharya Award.
Tributes poured in from across the country, with PT Usha, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Abhinav Bindra and Gautam Gambhir remembering him as a champion, mentor and inspiration. His legacy will continue to influence Indian shooting for generations.
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