Palakkad: Lt Col Niranjan, hailing from Mannarkad here, will now be remembered by the nation for his valour and sacrifice.
Niranjan, a member of the NSG’s Bomb Disposal Squad, was killed on Sunday morning while defusing a grenade at Pathankot Air Froce base as part of the combing operations which continued through the night.
Four other security men were also injured in the blast.
Niranjan is the son of Sivarajan and Rajeswari of Kalarickal, Elumbulassery here. The 35-year-old NSG commando is survived by wife Radhika and 2-year-old daughter Vismaya.
“Pained to know about demise of Lt. Col. Niranjan of NSG during mopping out ops at Pathankot, nation salutes his sacrifice,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly said.
He has three siblings – Sharath (Air Force), Bhagyalakshmi (teacher) and Sasankan (engineer). He was deputed to NSG (Delhi) three years ago.
Sivarajan and his family are settled in Bengaluru for the last 40 years. Sivarajan's brother stays at their ancestral house in Palakkad. It was during Onam that Niranjan came to Palakkad along with his family the last time.
Niranjan’s body will be brought to Bangalore, where his family currently resides, and it will be kept for the public to pay their respects. Later it will be brought to his native village of Elumbulassery, where the cremation will take place. M.B. Rajesh MP informed that Niranjan's body will be kept at Elumbulassery for the public to pay homage. However, officials concerned said they have not received any word in this regard.