Bengaluru: Union Minister for Law and Justice D V Sadananda Gowda pays homage to Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: The daughter of Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base at the funeral of her father in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pays homage to Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: The father of Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base at the funeral of his son in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: The father of Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base at the funeral of his son in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: The wife of Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base at the funeral of her husband in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: School students pay homage to Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: People pay homage to Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar pays homage to Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)moreBengaluru: The mortal remains of Niranjan Kumar, a Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard who was killed while defusing a bomb during combing operations at Pathankot IAF base being taken for cremation; in Bengaluru on Jan 4, 2016. (Photo: IANS)more
Palakkad (Kerala), Jan 4 (IANS) The body of Lt. Col. E.K. Niranjan of the National Security Guard, who was killed in the counter-offensive against terrorists at the Pathankot air base, arrived at his ancestral home near here on Monday evening.
The body was flown in a helicopter from Bengaluru, while his close relatives and colleagues came in another chopper to his Elumbulsherry village in Palakkad district.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will be arriving on Monday night to pay his last respects to the officer.
The village continues to remain in shock ever since news came of Niranjan's death following fatal injuries suffered while defusing a grenade during the Pathankot terror attack.
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.
The body will be kept at a state-run school on Tuesday morning and will be cremated with full state honours in the afternoon.
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.