Renowned Indian shooting coach Jaspal Rana passed away on Thursday night at the age of 49, leaving the sporting community in mourning. According to reports, he died at a hospital in Delhi after facing health complications. His death was confirmed by the president of the National Rifle Association of India, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo.
Rana had reportedly fallen ill during the return journey of the Indian contingent from the ISSF World Cup held in Munich, Germany. He was serving as the high-performance coach for India’s pistol shooters at the time. After arriving in Delhi, he was immediately admitted to Max Hospital in Saket and had recently undergone a medical procedure before his condition deteriorated.
India’s first individual Olympic gold medalist, Abhinav Bindra, paid tribute to Rana on social media. Remembering him as a teammate and an influential figure in Indian shooting, Bindra highlighted Rana’s dedication, talent and commitment to representing the country on the international stage.
Heartbroken to hear about Jaspal Rana’s passing.
Jaspal was my teammate, and in many ways, part of a generation that helped shape Indian shooting. He was intense, gifted, and carried the pride of the country every time he stepped onto the range.
This is a huge loss for our…
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) June 12, 2026
PM Narendra Modi also shows his deepest condolences.
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
Deeply saddened by the passing of Jaspal Rana ji, one of India’s finest shooting champions and a mentor who inspired generations of athletes.
His dedication to excellence and his immense contribution to Indian sport have left an enduring mark on our nation.
My heartfelt… pic.twitter.com/NiDBLlJ0pT
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 12, 2026
“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,” Jaspal’s brother Subash Rana told the media.
Widely respected for his contribution to the growth of Indian shooting, Rana played a pivotal role in nurturing the country’s next generation of talent. He served as both a junior national team coach and a high-performance trainer, helping shape several successful shooters who later excelled on the international stage.
Mentor Behind Olympic and International Achievements
Among his most notable coaching accomplishments was guiding Manu Bhaker, who created history by winning two bronze medals at the Paris Olympics 2024. Rana also worked closely with emerging stars including Saurabh Chaudhary, Anish Bhanwala and Chinki Yadav. In February 2025, the NRAI appointed him as the high-performance coach for the 25m pistol discipline.
Decorated Career Earned National Recognition
Rana’s achievements extended beyond coaching. As a competitive shooter, he won multiple gold medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, establishing himself as one of India’s finest marksmen. His contributions to the sport were recognised with several prestigious honours, including the Arjuna Award in 1994 and the Padma Shri in 1997. In 2020, he received the Dronacharya Award for his excellence in coaching.
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Brief Stint in Politics
Apart from sports, Rana also explored politics. He contested the 2006 Lok Sabha elections as a candidate of the Bharatiya Janata Party . Later, he joined the Indian National Congress before eventually returning full-time to shooting and coaching.
Legacy That Shaped Indian Shooting
Over the course of his career, Jaspal Rana played a significant role in elevating Indian shooting on the global stage. Through both his achievements as an athlete and his work as a mentor, he contributed to the development of several generations of shooters, leaving a lasting impact on Indian sport.
