Meet Colonel Navjot Singh Bal: 2 Para SF Warrior Who Fought Terror and Cancer with Unbreakable Courage

Colonel Navjot Singh Bal, Shaurya Chakra, an officer of the Indian Army’s elite 2 Para (Special Forces), personified exceptional courage, leadership, and resilience. A battle-hardened Special Forces commando who confronted terrorists in close-quarters combat, he later waged an equally determined fight against a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Despite losing his right arm to the disease, he retained command of his unit, adapted to every challenge, and continued to inspire his troops until his final days. Colonel Bal passed away on 9 April 2020 at the age of 39 in a military hospital in Bengaluru.

Hailing from a military family, Colonel Bal was the son of Colonel KS Bal (Retd) of the Garhwal Rifles. The family traces its roots to Chhajjal Waddi village in Jandiala Guru, Amritsar. He is survived by his wife Arti, his school-time sweetheart from Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, and their two young sons, Zorawar and Shahbaaz.

An alumnus of Army Public School, Dhaula Kuan, Colonel Bal joined the National Defence Academy in 1998. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 2002 and, after completing probation, was selected for the prestigious 2 Para (Special Forces) regiment. From the outset, he distinguished himself as an outstanding all-rounder, excelling in academics, leadership, sports, adventure training, and counter-insurgency operations.

Colonel Bal earned the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third-highest peacetime gallantry award, for his actions during counter-insurgency operations in the densely forested Upper Lolab Valley of Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, in 2008. In a high-risk engagement, he and his buddy pursued a group of terrorists and eliminated two at point-blank range. This act of conspicuous bravery exemplified the ethos of the Special Forces. He also served with distinction in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo and contributed to operational planning while posted in the Operations branch at Headquarters Northern Command, including during the preparation of the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control.

On 20 March 2018, Colonel Bal assumed command of the Bangalore-based 2 Para (Special Forces). Known for his exceptional physical fitness—he could perform 50 one-arm pull-ups and regularly participated in marathons—he led the unit by personal example, earning the respect and admiration of his subordinates.

In May 2018, shortly after taking command, Colonel Bal noticed a lump in his right elbow while performing chin-ups. Medical investigations diagnosed a rare and highly aggressive bone cancer—Telangiectatic osteosarcoma. He underwent chemotherapy while continuing to fulfil his command responsibilities. In January 2019, his right arm was amputated to contain the spread of the disease.

Demonstrating extraordinary adaptability and willpower, Colonel Bal mastered essential tasks—firing weapons, writing, tying laces, and riding a modified bicycle—using only his left hand. He maintained a rigorous fitness regime despite the challenges of treatment and continued to lead major exercises. Even as the cancer metastasised to his lungs and heart, his empty right sleeve became a powerful symbol of defiance and motivation for the troops under his command. He refused to relinquish his post until the final stages of his illness.

In his final hours, Colonel Bal composed a moving epitaph expressing his love for his family, the Indian Tricolour, and the motherland. He passed away on 9 April 2020, with his wish to breathe his last in the presence of his beloved unit reportedly fulfilled. Due to the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown, his parents undertook a gruelling 2,100-kilometre road journey from Gurugram to Bengaluru for the last rites. He was cremated with full military honours on 13 April 2020.

Tributes from senior officers, veterans, and the armed forces community described Colonel Bal as a “true warrior,” an “icon,” and the embodiment of the never-say-die spirit of the Indian Special Forces. Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Retd), a former commanding officer of 2 Para (SF), and others highlighted his infectious élan and unconquerable will, drawing parallels to the poem Invictus—master of his fate, captain of his soul.

Colonel Navjot Singh Bal’s life remains a profound testament to the highest traditions of the Indian Army—professionalism, sacrifice, and unbreakable courage. Whether confronting terrorism in Kashmir’s valleys or facing terminal illness with stoic determination, he lived by the Balidan Badge ethos of the Special Forces. His story continues to inspire serving personnel and civilians alike, underscoring that true valour lies not only in victory on the battlefield but also in confronting adversity with dignity, duty, and unwavering commitment to the nation.