Army officer shot during anti-terror operation dies after 8 years in coma

Lt Colonel Karanbir Singh Natt of the Territorial Army (TA), died on Sunday after battling for his life for eight years. He had been in a coma since 2015 when he was shot in the face during a counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara.

Lt Col KBS Natt, the second-in-command of the 160 Infantry Battalion TA (Jammu and Kashmir Rifles), played a pivotal role in a critical mission on November 22, 2015.

The operation was launched in Haji Naka village following intelligence reports about the presence of terrorists in the area.

Who was Lt Col KBS Natt?

Having dedicated nearly 20 years of his life to the army, Lt Col KBS Natt was an experienced officer and a recipient of the Sena medal. His military journey began in 1998 when he joined the regular army after graduating from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. Commissioned in the 19th Battalion of the Brigade of Guards, a mechanized infantry regiment, through the Short Service Commission entry. He served for almost 14 years before transitioning to the Territorial Army.

November 2015

During the November 2015 operation in Kupwara, Lt Col Natt exhibited remarkable courage. While cornering terrorists in a hut, he faced a burst of fire from a Kalashnikov. Despite being hit in the face, he valiantly saved three of his men. His injuries, however, were severe, leading to a prolonged coma that eventually claimed his life.