JOIN USThe 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.