NSG officer Lt Col Niranjan’s body to be cremated in Kerala today

Mangalore Today News Network

Palakkad, Jan 05, 2016: The body of Lt Col EK Niranjan of the National Security Guard, who was killed in the counter-offensive against terrorists at the Pathankot air base, will be cremated on Tuesday at his ancestral home.

 

Lt Col Niranjan Kumar’s wife Radhika (centre) and other family members pay their last respects to the martyred soldier. "He was always interested in the army. I am proud of his sacrifice," Niranjan’s father Sivarajan said. Niranjan’s sister said, "I look at him as Arjuna who fought for his karmabhoomi."

The body was flown in a helicopter from Bengaluru last evening, while his close relatives and colleagues came in another chopper to his Elumbulsherry village in Palakkad district.

People gather near the mortal remains of Lt Col Niranjan Kumar at his home in Bengaluru on Monday. Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel with the National Security Guard’s Bomb Disposal Squad, lost his life while defusing a grenade during the Pathankot terror attack on Sunday.

E.K. Sivaranjam (R), father of slain National Security Guard Bomb Disposal Squad personnel Lieutenan colonel Niranjan Kumar, who died while defusing a grenade at the scene of a terror attack in Pathankkot, his daughter-in-law, K.G. Radhika (L) and her two year-old daughter, Vismaya (2R), mourn with relatives on the arrival of Niranjan’s mortal remains at his residence in Bengaluru on Monday.

Even though Niranjan was bought up in Bengaluru, where he did his schooling and college education, he maintained close links with the village and was last here during the Onam season.

Villagers turned out in large numbers to receive the body and were also seen at his home on Monday.

Teary-eyed people filed past the body as the martyr’s family members sat near it. "He was always interested in the Army. I am proud of his sacrifice," Niranjan’s father
Sivarajan said.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah paid his respects to Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar. He later tweeted, "His life & sacrifice is an inspiration to all."

Army personnel carry the mortal remains of Lt Col Niranjan Kumar at his home in Bengaluru on Monday. His body was later flown from the Jalahalli airbase to his hometown of Palakkad, Kerala.

 

Niranjan’s sister said, "I look at him as Arjuna who fought for his karmabhoomi."

The body is being kept at a state-run school and will be cremated with full state honours this afternoon.

Thirty-two-year-old Niranjan was commissioned in the Engineers Regiment of the Army in 2004.

Niranjan, the head of the elite bomb squad of the NSG, was killed while defusing an IED at Pathankot IAF base, on Sunday.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy paid his last respects to the officer yesterday.

Niranjan is survived by his dentist wife Radhika, 18-month-old daughter Vismaya, father Sivarajan, step-mother and brother Shashank.

The Kerala Cabinet that meets on Wednesday will decide on how to compensate the family. The Karnataka government has announced a Rs 30 lakh compensation.

 

 

Courtesy: Zeenews