Colonel NS Bal, SC(“Shaurya Chakra”) was born on 11 Oct 1980 in
Lansdowne, District Pauri Garhwal of Uttarakhand. His father Lt Col Karnail
Singh(Retd) is a 1971 war veteran. Since early childhood Col Bal nurtured
a fervent desire to serve the Nation as part of the Armed Forces. His
single minded focus and relentless pursuit bore fruits when he was selected
to NDA Khadakwasla in the year 1998. From the academy days, NS Bal was an
outstanding sportsman with extraordinary fitness and mental acumen. Soon
after passing out from IMA in 2002, NS Bal, with fire in his belly
volunteered for the Special Forces. Post completion of a gruelling
probation, he was selected to be a Para Commando in one of the elite PARA
SF Unit. NS Bal continued to excel in all spheres of military career and he
was selected as an Instructor at IMTRAT, Bhutan where he trained the
Bhutanese Army.
Post the foreign assignment, he was inducted into the terrorist hot
bed of J & K. He was an epitome of bravery and courage. During his Counter
Insurgency tenure he had numerous firefights with terrorists. In one such
daring operation he displayed raw courage and valour thereby eliminating 02
terrorists for which he was awarded the ‘SHAURYA CHAKRA’ Subsequently, he
was selected for UN peace keeping mission in Congo as Mil Operation Officer
where he served with panache and gave a professional account of the Indian
Armed Forces. He is also an alumni of the prestigious Defence Service Staff
College. On his approval to the rank of Colonel in Mar 2018 he was chosen
to Command the Elite PARA SF Special Battalion he was commissioned in.
Unfortunately during his command he was diagnosed with a very rare,
high grade osteosarcoma (aggressive cancer) in June 2018. Despite all odds
he displayed grit and fortitude and continued to command with equal vigour
and perseverance. Fighting all odds, in these challenging times even after
amputation of right arm he participated in a 21 Km half marathon, despite
of cancer hampering his normal breathing. He was positive and pragmatic
till he breathed his last displaying his larger than life attitude. In this
battle with cancer, Mrs Aarti Bal wife of Col NS Bal has been constantly
beside him and exhibited mental resilience while rendering succour to the
ailing husband. She indefatigably shouldered additional responsibility of
looking after the two kids, Zoravar and Sarbaaz. Col Bal succumbed to the
aggressive cancer on 09 Apr 2020. The final rites were conducted on 13 Apr
at Bangalore and was attended by the family, veterans and Offrs and JCOs
from units and centres in Bangalore. Col Bal’s parents could reach for the
cremation, despite the Nation wide lock down, by the combined efforts put
in by the Army and Police.
Col N S Bal is of a rare breed of officers who inspire even when they
themselves are faced with utter daunting circumstances. A true Special
Forces warrior, he is a testimony of grit and unquenchable zeal. He lived
by the adage ” You never know how strong you are, until being strong is the
only option available “.His life shall inspire generations to come.
