Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh have expressed deep sorrow over the demise of renowned Indian shooter and coach Jaspal Rana, who passed away at a New Delhi hospital at the age of 49 following medical complications.
Paying tribute on social media, PM Modi described Rana’s death as a profound loss to Indian sports. He praised the shooting icon for bringing immense glory to the nation through his remarkable achievements and for his dedication to nurturing the next generation of athletes.
The Prime Minister noted that Rana’s commitment to excellence, discipline and mentorship earned him widespread respect across the sporting community.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Jaspal Rana Ji. His passing is a profound loss to the world of Indian sports.
He brought immense glory to the nation through his extraordinary achievements in shooting. Equally remarkable was his contribution as a mentor, shaping and…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described his passing as a major loss to Indian sport, remembering him as an exceptional athlete, coach and humble individual who helped popularise shooting across the country.
अंतर्राष्ट्रीय ख्याति प्राप्त शूटर जसपाल राणा के आकस्मिक निधन से मैं स्तब्ध और शोकाकुल हूँ। जसपाल एक उत्कृष्ट खिलाड़ी और कोच होने के साथ-साथ अत्यंत सहज, सरल और बहुत ही नेकदिल इंसान थे। भारत में शूटिंग को एक खेल के रूप में लोकप्रिय बनाने में उनकी बड़ी प्रभावी भूमिका थी।
जसपाल… pic.twitter.com/ZwCCJOFkPt
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 12, 2026
One of India’s most accomplished pistol shooters, Rana enjoyed a distinguished competitive career, winning 15 Commonwealth Games medals along with multiple gold medals at the Asian Games. His success further made him one of India’s finest shooters.
After retiring, Rana became a highly respected coach, mentoring stars such as Manu Bhaker, Saurabh Chaudhary and Anish Bhanwala.
Rana was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1994, the Padma Shri in 1997 and the Dronacharya Award in 2020 for his outstanding contributions to Indian shooting. His legacy as a champion shooter and mentor will continue to inspire generations of Indian athletes.
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