Col Navjot Singh Bal, Shaurya Chakra Awardee, Loses Battle to Cancer; Parents Stuck in Gurugram Due to Coronavirus Lockdown

The Indian Army on Thursday lost a brave officer Colonel Navjot Singh Bal. He was a former commanding officer of the 2 Para (special forces). Col Navjot Singh Bal passed away in Bengaluru on Thursday morning after battling with cancer for two years. He was 39 years old and was an icon for young officers. Col Bal, a Shaurya Chakra awardee, was posted at the Northern Command’s Operation section when the Indian Army conducted the surgical strikes in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir in 2016. Col Govardhan Gopal Gudur – A Passionate Officer, True Gentleman And Inspiration For Young Officers.

He was awarded Shaurya Chakra for an operation in the upper ranges of Kashmir’s Lolab Valley in 2008. During the operation, he and his buddy shot dead two of them in close combat. Col Bal was also part of United Nations mission in Congo. He belonged to a military background. His father had reired from Colonel rank. Col Bal joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 1998 and was commissioned into 2 Para in 2002. Lt Col Anand Subramaniam, Shaurya Chakra Winner Passes Away; Last Rites Performed at His Native Village in Kanyakumari.

According to reports, the army officer took over as the Commanding Officer of the Bangalore-based 2 Para on 20 March 2018 and in the same year he was diagnosed with cancer. A lump in his right arm was first spotted in May 2018, and tests further revealed that he suffered from a rare type of cancer called ‘Telangiectactic osteosarcoma’.

This did not deter the brave officer from doing his duties. Even though he was put on chemotherapy, he continued to do his job as the CO. Despite being ill, Col Bal ran a 21-km half-marathon. Unfortunately, In January 2019, his right arm had to be amputated. Later, it was found that cancer had spread to other parts of his body. Col Bal is survived by his wife and two sons.

Meanwhile, the Army officer’s parents are stuck in Gurugram due to the countrywide coronavirus lockdown. The Army has given the permission to decide the location of Colonel’s cremation. As per IBT report, Col Bal’s parents are waiting for approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to travel to Bengaluru.

(Picture Courtesy: Twitter)