Col Navjot Singh Bal: Shaurya Chakra Hero Who Fought Cancer Like a Warrior

Remembering Col Navjot Singh Bal: Shaurya Chakra recipient and ex-2 Para commandant passes away at 39 in Bengaluru.

BENGALURU | Col Navjot Singh Bal, a decorated Shaurya Chakra awardee and former Commandant of the elite 2 Para (Special Forces), passed away in Bengaluru on Thursday (09 April 2020) at the age of 39 after a two-year battle with cancer. His courageous spirit—both on the battlefield and in his personal fight against illness—continues to inspire generations within the Indian Army and beyond.

Who was Col Navjot Singh Bal?

Col Navjot Singh Bal was a decorated officer in the Indian Army’s Para (Special Forces) unit. He hailed from a military family and studied at Army Public School in Dhaula Kuan, Delhi. He joined the National Defence Academy in 1998 and commissioned into 2 Para (SF) in 2002. Known for his leadership, discipline, and fitness, he became Commandant of 2 Para SF in Bengaluru in March 2018.

From NDA to 2 Para: A Life Dedicated to the Nation

Hailing from a proud military family, Col Navjot Singh Bal began his journey at the Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, before joining the National Defence Academy in 1998. Commissioned into 2 Para (Special Forces) in 2002, he quickly built a reputation as a daring and disciplined officer.

Col Bal served at the Northern Command’s Operations section during the 2016 surgical strikes—one of India’s most significant military operations. He also represented India in the United Nations Mission in Congo, reflecting his global military experience.

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What is the story behind Col Navjot Singh Bal’s Shaurya Chakra: Valor in Lolab Valley

Col Bal earned the Shaurya Chakra, one of the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry awards, for his bravery in an encounter in Kashmir’s Lolab Valley. Leading from the front, he and his teammate eliminated two terrorists in a close-quarter battle, saving the lives of his men. Fellow officers recall his precision, calmness, and courage under fire as “textbook examples” of special forces leadership.

How did he fight cancer?

In 2018, while commanding the 2 Para Special Forces in Bengaluru, Col Bal was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. Yet, he refused to let the illness slow him down. According to his colleagues, he continued reporting for duty during chemotherapy, maintaining his rigorous fitness routine—famously performing 50 one-handed pull-ups even after his treatment began.

Even after losing his right arm to cancer in 2019, Col Bal remained deeply committed to his role. He modified his bike so both brakes could be operated with one hand and learned to fire from his left hand with the same precision as his right. “He didn’t see his amputation as a loss,” said a superior officer, “he saw it as a new challenge to overcome.”

What role did Col Navjot Singh Bal play during the surgical strikes?

During the pivotal 2016 surgical strikes, Col Navjot Singh Bal was posted to the Northern Command's Operation section, where he contributed strategic input and coordination to the cross-border counter-terror operation regarded as a turning point in Indian military history. His experience and leadership in Special Forces made him a valuable asset in mission planning and execution.

Legacy and Family

Col Navjot Singh Bal leaves behind his wife Arti Bal and two young sons, aged eight and four. His loss has deeply moved the Indian Army community, especially Special Forces veterans who saw him as a “living symbol of courage, fitness, and determination.”

Army officers describe Col Bal as an officer who embodied the Para motto – “Men Apart, Every Man an Emperor.” His resilience through pain and duty till the end redefines the meaning of service and sacrifice.