Father says NSG Lt Col Niranajan Kumar liked 'Army dress', NCC teacher 'proud' of the martyred soldier

Niranjan Kumar, died on Sunday during combing operations who was a member of the bomb disposal squad. He hailed from Palghat in Kerala and is survived by his wife Dr Radhika and a 18-month-old daughter.

New Delhi: The family members of Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard, Niranjan Kumar were in a state of shock on Sunday after they received the news about his martyrdom in the Pathankot terror attack even as his father expressed pride that he laid down his life for the country.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Kumar's father said, “He told me that he liked the Army dress.”

“From beginning he was very much interested to join Army,” he added.

The NCC teacher of Niranajan Kumar also said that he is proud of his students act.

“Feel proud that he sacrificed his life for country. He was a very good soldier,” Kumar's teacher added.

"Lt Col EK Niranjan was an expert on explosives and head of the bomb disposal squad. He was a brave soldier. His professionalism and dedication to serve the nation will inspire everyone in NSG for many many years to come. I salute to the brave soul," said National Security Guard Director General RC Tayal.

Niranjan Kumar, died this morning during combing operations who was a member of the bomb disposal squad. He hailed from Palghat in Kerala and is survived by his wife Dr Radhika and a 18-month-old daughter.

NSG commando Lt Col Niranjan, who has his family in Bangalore, was commissioned in the Engineers Regiment of the Army in 2004.

A grenade that had lodged into a dead body went off while he was trying to defuse it during the combing operations. Four jawans were injured in the blast.

Expressing his grief, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had tweeted:

Pained to know about the demise of Lt. Col. Niranjan of NSG during mopping out operations at Pathankot. The nation salutes his sacrifice — Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) January 3, 2016

Varanasi: People pay tribute to soldiers who lost their lives in #Pathankot terror attack pic.twitter.com/hqRZwOCrEF — ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016