Kerala officer killed in chopper crash recently visited home

He is survived by his wife Sreelekshmi and two children

Junior warrant officer Arakkal Pradeep, who was among those killed in the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 13 including CDS Bipin Rawat, was a native of Thrissur district in Kerala.

Just a few weeks ago Arakkal had visited his family for his father's medical treatment.

Pradeep, 37, even rang up his mother on Tuesday evening and informed her that he would be accompanying senior officers as flight gunner and was quite excited about it.

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Kerala is remembering the active involvement of Pradeep in the rescue operations of Air Force during the 2018 natural calamities. Pictures of Pradeep involved in the rescue operations have now become viral on the social media. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also hailed the efforts of Pradeep in the rescue and relief operations.

Pradeep's father Radhakrishnan is bed-ridden and on ventilator support in his house at Ponnukara near Thrissur city. He was not yet informed about his son's ill fate while Pradeep's mother Kumari came to know about the incident by late on Wednesday night.

Pradeep is survived by his wife Sreelekshmi and their two children — seven year old Dakshindev and two year old Devprayag. Pradeep also leaves behind a brother and sister.

Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan visited the family on Thursday morning. He said that Pradeep came down to Thrissur about two weeks back in connection with a medical treatment of his father. One of his son's birthday was also celebrated here.

Pradeep joined the Air Force in 2004 and served in various places. Pradeep had also participated in the anti-naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and flood relief operations in Uttarakhand.

Two relatives of Pradeep left for Coimbatore by Wednesday evening.

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