Pathankot braveheart's friend knocks President's door over 'unfulfilled promise'

It's been more than a year that Pathankot braveheart Niranjan E. Kumar died in the Indian Air Force (IAF) base attack but his friend Shashank S.K. still awaits for the promise made by Karnataka Chief Minister K. Siddaramaiah.

Seeking recognition for his close friend, Shashank has been running from pillar to post to get a road named after Niranjan so that the future generations could remember his contribution to national security.

Still keeping his hopes alive, Shashank on Thursday wrote a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala regarding the promise made by the government.

"One and a half year has passed when we lost our friend Lt. Col. Niranjan. He sacrificed his life for the sake of this country. I have been following this issue from the past one and half year from the mayor office to the BBMP to the Commissioner to the local revenue officer. They are least bothered about it," Shashank told ANI.

He further said that he has been following the matter from the past one-and-a-half year, adding the government officials don't have good thoughts about naming the road.

"I feel bad and have written a letter to the President of India, the Prime Minister of India, the Governor of Karnataka and have got reply from them," he added.

On the other hand, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Commissioner Manjunath Prasad said that the information has been passed but they are waiting for a formal confirmation.

"The resolution has been passed unanimously and we have sent that to the government for approval. The moment we will receive the consent of the government, the formal opening of the road and naming will be done," Manjunath told ANI.

The deceased soldier was awarded the Shaurya Chakra for the valour he showed during the operation and his parents received the same from the President of India today.

Niranjan, a bomb disposal expert, was killed while defusing a grenade after the terrorists attacked an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, Punjab.

He is survived by his father, his wife Dr KG Radhika, a dentist, and a two-year-old daughter. The Army officer was promoted to Lt. Colonel in the elite NSG a few months before he died.