THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The death of junior warrant officer A Pradeep, in the helicopter crash in Coonoor that killed 13 including Chief of Defense Staff General Bipan Rawat, has cast a pall of gloom in Ponnukara village in Thrissur district of Kerala.

While the entire village grieves over the loss of the 37-year-old air force officer, Pradeep's father Arakkal Veettil Radhakrishnan is unaware of the humungous tragedy that has struck his family. He is currently on ventilator support in a private hospital following acute respiratory problems.





Only last week Pradeep had visited his native place following his father's illness and subsequently he went back to Sulur air base to discharge his duties.

When his mother Kumari who was expecting Pradeep's call on Wednesday morning, didn't get the phone call, she thought her son might be busy with duty with higher officials. Before going to Sulur he had spoken to her about the trip and that he was going to accompany top defence officials.

But when people started arriving at their house in the afternoon, she knew something bad had happened. Since then she is struggling to come to terms with the devestating news.





Pradeep who was the flight gunner of the ill-fated helicopter, had been posted in Sulur air base only six months ago.

He leaves behind his wife Sreelakshmi, son Dakshin Dev ,7, and Devapryag, 2 and his dream of settling down with them in Kerala after completing 20 years in service. But little did he know that fate had something so tragic in store for him and his family.

Kerala CM recollects Pradeep's invaluable service during 2018 devestating floods, the worst in 100 years. Chief Minister Mr Pinarayi Vijayan paid rich tributes to Pradeep while recollecting is lifesaving efforts during the floods. He was in the forefront of relief and rescue operations like a true soldier saving lives of people.





Pradeep volunteered to join the relief and rescue work. In fact, the rescue team comprising Pradeep had the honour of receiving special appreciation from the President and the LDF government.

Agriculture minister A. Rajan visited the martyred soldier's house in Puthoor and consoled the bereaved family. Pradeep's father is currently on ventilator in a hospital following respiratory problems.