Narender Singh Rana

Biography

Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana hailed from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh and was born on 12 December 1955. He was recruited into 17 Horse of the Armoured Corps, the combat arm of the Indian Army well known for its battle tanks. After serving for some years with his parent unit, he was deputed to serve with 4 Rashtriya Rifles, deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. By 1999 he had put in a substantial number of years of service and had risen to the rank of Naib Risaldar, a committed and experienced Junior Commissioned Officer. During August 1999, Naib Risaldar Rana was serving with the 4 RR battalion in the Kupwara district of J&K. Although the Kargil War had ended on 26 July 1999, the situation along the Line of Control remained tense and the troops stayed on alert. With a large number of army personnel deployed at Anantnag for the security of the Amarnath Yatra and Kupwara town largely left under the CRPF, militants saw an opportune moment to strike. In a pre-planned move, at around 1:15 am on 6 August 1999, a group of heavily armed militants attacked the 4 RR camp in village Chak Nutnusa. Captain Mandeep Singh, the Company Commander, along with his troops including Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana, swung into action and counter-attacked. Despite the surprise nature of the assault, they rose to the occasion and effectively engaged the militants. During the heavy exchange of fire, Naib Risaldar Rana was hit by gunshots and severely injured. He soon succumbed to his wounds and was martyred. Three other soldiers of the battalion — Captain Mandeep Singh, Naik Mithilesh Pathak and Sowar Sohan Singh Solanki — also made the supreme sacrifice in the operation. Naib Risaldar Narender Singh Rana laid down his life in the service of the nation.