Dehradun

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday expressed deep grief over the demise of legendary shooter Jaspal Rana, describing his passing as an irreparable loss to the sporting fraternity, the state, and the nation.

In a condolence message shared on Facebook, Dhami referred to the Padma Shri awardee as the "son of Uttarakhand" and said the news of his death had caused immense sorrow.

"The news of the sudden demise of Shri Jaspal Rana ji, the pride of the Indian shooting world, is extremely painful," the chief minister said.

Paying tribute to Rana's achievements, Dhami highlighted his extraordinary contribution to Indian shooting and the inspiration he provided to generations of young athletes.

He said Rana's historic accomplishments brought immense pride to the country on the international stage and helped elevate India's stature in the sport.

"His personality and work will always remain a source of inspiration for future generations," Dhami said.

Rana, regarded as one of India's greatest pistol shooters, enjoyed a distinguished competitive career before successfully transitioning into coaching. He played a pivotal role in nurturing several talented shooters, most notably guiding Manu Bhaker to her historic twin bronze-medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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The 49-year-old passed away after battling cardiac complications, leaving behind a remarkable legacy spanning decades in Indian shooting as both a champion athlete and mentor.