New Delhi

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday expressed grief over the death of renowned shooter and coach Jaspal Rana, describing him as "a towering figure in Indian sport and one of our greatest shooting champions."

"From bringing glory to India on the world stage to nurturing future generations of shooters, his contribution to Indian sport was truly extraordinary. He even delved in public service to work for his state of Uttarakhand," Kharge wrote in a post on social media.

"My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the entire sporting fraternity," he added.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled Rana's passing, calling it "a profound loss to the world of Indian sports."

"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," the Prime Minister said.

"Equally remarkable was his contribution as a mentor, shaping and guiding young athletes with great dedication. His unwavering commitment to excellence, discipline and service to the sporting world earned him immense admiration. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the entire sporting fraternity in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," Modi added.

Rana, 49, passed away in New Delhi on Friday after battling health complications. He had been admitted to Max Hospital in Saket, where he breathed his last, according to hospital officials.

Reports said he had fallen ill while returning from the ISSF World Cup in Munich on Thursday and later underwent a medical procedure in Delhi.

One of India's finest shooters, Rana leaves behind a remarkable legacy spanning more than three decades. He remains India's most successful athlete at the Commonwealth Games, winning 15 medals -- including nine gold, four silver and two bronze medals -- across the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006 editions.

He also enjoyed immense success at the Asian Games, claiming four gold medals and one silver. His performance at the 2006 Doha Asian Games remains particularly memorable, as he won three gold medals despite reportedly competing with a high fever.

After retiring from competitive shooting, Rana dedicated himself to coaching and talent development. As India's junior national coach, he played a crucial role in shaping the careers of several emerging stars, including Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary.

Although he and Bhaker experienced a temporary professional fallout before the Tokyo Olympics, they later reconciled. Rana subsequently mentored Bhaker during her successful campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she secured two bronze medals.

READ MORE: Srinagar: leaders, civil society members protest against PoJK killings

At the time of his death, Jaspal Rana was serving as India's high-performance coach for pistol events, continuing to contribute to the growth of Indian shooting and inspiring a new generation of athletes.