The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) has welcomed the inauguration of an insulated, all-year-round indoor Air Rifle and Air Pistol shooting range at the newly constructed Sports Complex of the Ladakh Police in Leh, calling it a significant step towards promoting and developing shooting sports in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The facility was established by the Ladakh Shooting Association (LSA) in collaboration with the Ladakh Police and was inaugurated in August by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, V.K. Saxena.

Key Inauguration Details

The opening ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra; DGP Ladakh, Anant Jain; NRAI Vice President K. Sultan Singh; President of the Ladakh Shooting Association, Gawa Norboo; and other senior officials and dignitaries of the UT Government. The event marked a landmark moment for sports infrastructure development in one of India's most geographically challenging union territories.

What the Facility Offers

The indoor range is designed to operate through Ladakh's extreme winters, a critical feature given the region's harsh climate that has historically made outdoor sporting activity near-impossible for several months each year. The facility will be accessible to students, members of the general public, and police personnel, broadening the base for talent identification and participation in shooting sports. Aspiring shooters in Leh will now be able to train locally without having to travel outside the UT for basic training infrastructure.

What the NRAI Said

NRAI President Kalikesh Singh Deo said the facility would play a vital role in taking the sport to the grassroots and creating a competitive pathway for local talent. 'The inauguration of this indoor shooting range marks an important milestone in the development of shooting sport in Ladakh. Our objective at the NRAI is to ensure that young talent across India has access to the facilities and opportunities required to take up the sport and progress competitively. Ladakh presents its own unique geographical and climatic challenges, and an all-year-round facility like this can make a meaningful difference,' he said.

NRAI Secretary General Pawankumar Singh described the opening as a foundational step for a sustainable shooting ecosystem. 'This is an important beginning for shooting sport in Ladakh. For any sporting ecosystem to grow, access is fundamental, and this facility provides that access in a structured and sustainable manner. Opening the range to students, the public and police personnel will help introduce more people to the sport while creating a larger pool from which talent can be identified,' he stated.

Government Support and Expansion Plans

Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena welcomed the initiative and underscored the need for year-round accessible sporting infrastructure in the region. He also announced the UT Government's commitment to developing additional shooting ranges in other districts and locations across Ladakh — signalling that the Leh facility is the first in a broader rollout rather than a standalone project.

Broader Significance for Indian Shooting

The NRAI has consistently worked to extend shooting sport beyond established urban and metropolitan centres. This comes amid growing national interest in shooting as a competitive discipline, with Indian shooters having delivered strong performances on the international stage in recent years. Notably, Ladakh's inclusion in the national shooting ecosystem addresses a longstanding geographical gap. The Ladakh Shooting Association and Ladakh Police will jointly oversee operations and coordinate training and participation programmes at the facility.