Punjab Newsline | New Delhi

Renowned Indian shooting coach and former Asian Games gold medallist Jaspal Rana passed away on Friday at the age of 49, sending shockwaves across the Indian sporting fraternity.

Rana, who played a key role in shaping the careers of several top shooters, including two-time Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker, reportedly fell ill after returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich, Germany.

According to reports, Rana experienced health complications during his return flight and was admitted to a Delhi hospital immediately after landing, where he underwent a stent procedure. However, he later succumbed while undergoing treatment for a heart-related condition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over Rana’s demise, describing it as a huge loss for Indian sports. In his condolence message, the Prime Minister praised Rana’s remarkable achievements as a shooter and his invaluable contribution as a mentor who nurtured young talent with dedication and discipline.

Rana was serving as the High-Performance Coach for Indian pistol shooters and had recently guided the national team during the ISSF World Cup campaign in Munich, where India delivered an impressive medal-winning performance. He was officially appointed as the High-Performance Coach for the 25m Pistol event by the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) in 2025 and was widely credited for introducing rigorous training methods for elite shooters.

For his outstanding contribution to developing the next generation of Indian shooters, Rana was honoured with the prestigious Dronacharya Award in 2020. His legacy as both a champion shooter and an inspiring coach will continue to influence Indian shooting for years to come.