Assam Rifles Jawan V Teja Dies on Duty in Nagaland; Organs Donated as Per His Pledge

Rifleman V Teja, a young soldier from Rayagada district in Odisha, has died after suffering a gunshot wound while on operational duty in Nagaland. He served with Charlie Company of the 15 Assam Rifles. In line with an organ donation pledge he had signed about two years ago, his organs were taken out and preserved at a hospital in Nagaland after his death.

The incident took place on Monday, 5 October 2026. Officials told news agencies that Teja was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The exact circumstances of the injury have not been made public yet.

Naib Subedar Ravindra Kumar Naik, from the same battalion, travelled with the body all the way to Teja's hometown. He said the full details would be known only after the post-mortem report, which is expected to take about a week. The family has been told that Teja died in the line of duty after being hit by a bullet.

Teja had joined the armed forces in 2022 and was posted in Nagaland. He had been granted 50 days of leave and was expected home for Diwali. His wedding was fixed for 10 December. He would have turned 31 on 7 October, the same day his body reached Rayagada. He was 30 years old at the time of his death, just two days short of his birthday.

According to his family, including his younger brother, Teja had signed a declaration to donate his organs about two years ago. After his death, a local hospital in Nagaland retrieved and preserved his organs, respecting his final wish. Reports have not shared which organs were retrieved or who will receive them. Through this act of soldier organ donation, the Assam Rifles jawan V Teja may help other people get a new chance at life.

In India, anyone can pledge to donate their organs after death by registering with the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO), which works under the Union Health Ministry. Organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart and lungs from a single donor can help save several lives. Even after a person signs a pledge, the family's consent is usually taken at the time of donation. In Teja's case, his family stood by his wish.

His mortal remains were flown by helicopter to Visakhapatnam and then taken to Rayagada by ambulance. Hundreds of local people joined a motorcycle rally that started around 10 km from the town to honour the Rayagada soldier, with fireworks and slogans in his name. Relatives and neighbours gathered outside the family home to pay their last respects.

The district administration will pay official tribute on Thursday morning (8 October), and the funeral rites will begin at 7 am.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was deeply saddened by the death of the Odisha jawan while on duty in Nagaland. He said Teja's supreme sacrifice and devotion to the motherland would always be remembered.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the courage shown by the young soldier was beyond measure. He called Teja's sacrifice during security operations in Nagaland unmatched, and said his bravery had made every Odia and the whole country proud. He added that Teja would live on forever in people's hearts.

The Assam Rifles is India's oldest central paramilitary force, first raised in 1835 as the Cachar Levy. It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs, while its operations are run by the Indian Army. The force guards the India-Myanmar border and carries out security operations in the Northeast. That is why it is often called the "Sentinels of the North East." Its personnel are also known as the "Friends of the Hill People" for their close bond with local communities in the region.