Amir Ahmad Bhat, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in the Indian Army from Damhal, Anantnag district, has been selected to participate in the Paralympic Games in Paris this August.
Bhat, who joined the Indian Army in 2012 as a soldier, quickly distinguished himself in firing exercises during training. His consistent marksmanship caught the attention of his Commanding Officer (CO) in 2022, who allowed him to pursue a career in marksmanship.
“In 2022, I had the opportunity to perform in the Army Marksmanship Unit in Indore. After a trial with a rifle, I was given three months to prove myself. I then switched to a pistol, underwent another trial, and performed exceptionally,” Bhat told
The Army Marksmanship Unit selects only 100-150 personnel from the entire Indian Army, with top performers representing the Army at national and international levels. Bhat first represented the Indian Army at the national level in March 2022, winning a silver medal. He secured another silver and a bronze medal later that year.
Bhat’s international debut came in South Korea, where he won a bronze medal, narrowly missing Olympic qualification by one point. He has since competed in several countries, including China and Peru, recently returning from China with a silver medal. In September 2023, Bhat won a gold medal at the World Championship in Lima, Peru.
“From May 12 to 20, I went through the final Olympic trials. Recognizing my talent, I was selected to participate in the Paralympics in Paris, scheduled from August 28 to September 8. This achievement is due to my tireless efforts and the support of my parents, the J&K Sports Council, especially Secretary Nuzhat Gull, and the Indian Army, particularly my CO,” he said.
Bhat also acknowledged the support from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Paralympic Committee, which facilitated his start in 2023. Currently posted as a JCO, Bhat was previously an Other Rank (OR) before being promoted following his success in winning an individual silver medal in Croatia and receiving consecutive Chief of Army Staff citations.
Bhat expressed his determination to win a gold medal at the Paralympics and bring pride to the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir.
