NEW DELHI: Injured in a mine blast on the Line of Control, ex-Army sniper Amir Ahmad Bhat has turned adversity into opportunity, emerging as a formidable para-shooter with his sights now set on Paralympic glory.
The 30-year-old from Anantnag clinched silver in the Mixed 25m Pistol SH1 event at the ongoing Khelo India Para Games (KIPG) 2025, adding another milestone to his remarkable journey from the battlefield to the shooting range.
A Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, Bhat’s life changed in 2018 when a mine blast left him severely injured. However, rather than letting the setback define him, he found a new purpose in paralympic shooting. Encouraged by a senior officer who recognised his potential, Bhat took up the sport, channeling his military precision into competitive shooting.
“I was a sniper in the Army, trained in firing techniques,” Bhat told SAI Media. “When my injury happened, I did not know anything about shooting as a sport.”
What followed was a meteoric rise. By 2022, just two years into para shooting, Bhat had already made his mark on the global stage, winning multiple medals, including gold and silver at the Para World Championships. He also created history by becoming the first para-shooter from both the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir to qualify for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
His recent silver at KIPG 2025 is a testament to his relentless drive, and he also reached the final of the Men’s 50m Pistol SH1 event, finishing eighth.
Bhat credits much of his success to the Indian Army’s Marksmanship Unit, which played a vital role in his training and development. “In the Army, it doesn’t matter if you’re able or disabled,” he said. “You are given the same respect and opportunities.”
Now, as he prepares for future international events, Bhat hopes to inspire others facing adversity. “Don’t be afraid. Come and shoot. Shooting can become a way of life, a path to reinvention,” he said, sending a message of resilience and determination to aspiring athletes.
The Khelo India Para Games, launched in 2023 as part of the Khelo India initiative, provide a national platform for para-athletes to showcase their talent. The second edition, currently underway in New Delhi, features six sporting disciplines across three venues, furthering India’s commitment to inclusive sports development.
