The body will reach Valayar at 12.30 pm. Ministers K Rajan and Krishnankutty will receive the body at Valayar. Then there will be an hour-long public viewing at the school in Puthur.
Thrissur, First Published Dec 11, 2021, 11:57 AM IST
Thrissur: The mourning procession with the body of Pradeep, the Malayalee soldier who died in the Coonoor helicopter crash in Ooty, has returned to Thrissur from Sulur. The body will reach Valayar at 12.30 pm. Ministers K Rajan and Krishnankutty will receive the body at Valayar. Then there will be an hour-long public viewing at the school in Puthur. Two hours before the funeral, 70 soldiers will arrive at Pradeep’s house. The funeral will be held in the courtyard in the evening.
Visitors flock to Pradeep’s house in Ponnukara. Pradeep maintained good relations with his friends even when he left home for work. He also led local arts and sports activities. Pradeep Arakkal, a native of Puthur, Thrissur, joined the Army in 2004. He was later selected as an air crew. Has worked in most parts of the country. Sandeep also took part in the operation against the Maoists in Chhattisgarh. Pradeep was killed in a helicopter crash that killed 13 people, including Joint Chiefs of Staff Bipin Rawat. Pradeep was the flight gunner of the helicopter.
Also Read: Only four days after Pradeep returns; Father unaware of death
Also Read: Coonoor helicopter crash; Among the dead was a Malayalee soldier
Pradeep was a soldier who helped Kerala in the catastrophic floods of 2018. During the floods, he volunteered as an air crew in a helicopter crew that took off from the Coimbatore Air Force Base for rescue operations. Under Pradeep’s leadership, many came back to life. Pradeep was also included in the team following his request to be part of the mission.
Also Read: Hands that cared for Kerala during the floods; Pradeep’s death is an irreparable loss
Last Updated Dec 11, 2021, 12:04 PM IST
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