CHANDIGARH, Nov 25: Some of the countries top marksmen and women are taking part in the Northern India Shooting championship which commenced at the Sector 25 Shooting Range here today. In a five-day meet, the competition will be held ISU and NR categories in sub-junior, junior and senior groups.There is likely to be a keen tussle in the men's section as Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Delhi, which have host of international shooters in their rank, including Subhash Rana, younger brother of ace shooter Jaspal Rana, would give a stiff competition to Border Security Force (BSF) marksmen.The strong 14-member BSF line-up is also impressive. Naresh Kumar, who recently gave a scare to Jaspal Rana in the nationals held at Delhi, is taking part in centre-fire pistol event and is confident of winning the gold in the event. ``I am in good knick and hope to garb the top slot,'' said Naresh Kumar.Raj Kumar, Parminder Singh, Kishan, Hari Parkash and Iqbal Ahmed are also in the BSF fold and are among the best shooters of the country.In the women's section, it would be a treat to watch Shilpi Singh of CISF, who was recently awarded Arjuna Award. Her team mate, Sushma Rana (sister of Jaspal Rana), is another shooter, who would up set the apple cart of some of the best in the fray.Up and coming shooter Abhinav Bindra of Punjab , is also taking part in the meet.Initial rounds in the air rifle and air pistol (NR) events were held today in both men's and women's group.In the air rifle open sight category senior men, Ripjeet of Punjab with an aggregate of 294/300 led the field.Virender of CISF with a total of 358/400 was leading in the air pistol event (men) followed closely by Avtar Singh of Punjab (354).In the junior women Air Rifle event, Zoya Mehta of Delhi was leading with an aggregate score of 277/300 Apart from Chandigarh, shooters from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Indian Airlines and Delhi are also take part in the meet.The Chandigarh team includes Parminder Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Holder Singh and Amanjot Sachdeva.
