Shooting great Jaspal Rana Dies at 49

New Delhi: In a devastating blow to the Indian sporting fraternity, legendary pistol shooter and high-performance national coach Jaspal Rana passed away in New Delhi after suffering sudden medical complications. He was 49.

National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo confirmed that Rana breathed his last at a private hospital in Delhi late Thursday night.

According to official sources, Rana fell seriously ill due to a cardiac emergency while traveling on the Indian shooting contingent’s return flight from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany. Immediately upon landing in New Delhi, he was rushed to Max Hospital in Saket, where doctors performed an emergency procedure to insert a medical stent. Despite intensive medical intervention, the celebrated sports icon succumbed days later.

“He experienced chest pain and discomfort during the ISSF World Cup in Munich, which he initially mistook for acidity, and continued with his travel plans. However, the discomfort returned during the journey back to India, prompting immediate medical attention upon his arrival in Delhi,” his brother Subash Rana told the media.

Rana’s death has come as a major blow to Indian shooting. One of the country’s most accomplished shooters and respected coaches, he played an important role in shaping several generations of pistol shooters and remained actively involved with the national programme until his final days. PM Narendra Modi and other leaders and sports celebrities condoled the death of Rana.