Commonwealth gold medalist Fateh Singh dies in Pathankot attack

Subedar Fateh Singh, a 51-year-old Army man who lost his life during combing operations at the Indian Air Force base near Punjab's Pathankot town on Saturday, had won a gold and a silver medal at the first Commonwealth Shooting Championships held in Delhi in 1995.

A foremost big bore rifle (300m) shooter-turned-coach, Subedar Singh had won gold and silver in the first Commonwealth Shooting Championships in New Delhi in 1995.

The National Rifle Association of India, which is the parent body of shooting in the country, condoled the brave shooter's death.

"Subedar Fateh Singh sacrificed his life while fighting for his motherland at Air Base Pathankot today during an attack of militants. Subedar Fateh Singh was a legendary Big Bore shooter. He won Gold and a Silver medal during 1st Commonwealth Shooting Championship held at New Delhi in 1995," the association said in a release.

"Raninder Singh, President NRAI condoled the death of Shri Fateh Singh and said that the country has lost its beloved son and a sharp shooter. May Almighty grant peace to the Great Soldier. The Shooting fraternity prays for the departed soul and strength to the family of great soldier to bear this irreparable loss," it added.

Singh, who retired as a Subedar Major from the Dogra regiment in 2009, joined the Defence Service Corps and was initially posted at the Army War College in Mhow. He was posted to Pathankot two years ago.