Thousands pay respect to NSG commando Niranjan E.K.

Bengaluru, Jan 4  Thousands of people paid tributes to martyred National Security Guard (NSG) commando Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan E.K. on Monday at his residence in Bommasandra in Bengaluru.

Paying his respects to 34-year-old Niranjan, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "We have to be united to end terrorism, then only India can develop."

"Even as the prime minister visited Lahore (Pakistan) to extend a hand of friendship, it is painful to know that seven of our soldiers were martyred. We cannot evaluate their services to the country," added Siddaramaiah, laying a wreath on Niranjan's body.

Siddaramaiah declared a compensation of Rs.30 lakh for Niranjan's family.

Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers Ananth Kumar also paid respects to Niranjan and said, "We have sent a strong message to Pakistan to refrain from using its soil to launch attacks on India."

The NSG bomb disposal expert's body was shifted to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) ground to facilitate more people to pay their respects. His father Sivaranjan worked with BEL.

Niranjan's body was flown to Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport around 1 a.m. on Tuesday.

He died of fatal injuries suffered while defusing a grenade in the terrorist attack in Pathankot on Sunday.

"I am familiar with Baghavad Gita. I consider my brother Arjuna. My brother had struggled a lot to become Lieutenant Colonel and sacrificed a lot," said Niranjan's teacher-sister Bhagyalakshmi.

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

The final rites of Niranjan will be held at Elumbulsherry village in Palakkad district, Kerala, around 10 a.m. on Wednesday.

Niranjan's body has been shifted to Jalahalli airstrip to be flown to his ancestral place in Kerala by Tuesday afternoon.

Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy is expected to attend the funeral ceremony on Tuesday, said an army official overseeing the arrangements.

Niranjan's death comes after Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's martyrdom during 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. Both of them belonged to Bengaluru.