Pahalgam terror attack: body of Keralite brought to Kochi

Tributes being paid to N. Ramachandran, 65, a native of Edappally in Ernakulam district of Kerala, who was killed in the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in South Kashmir, when his body was brought to Kochi on Wednesday night. Thulasi Kakkat
| Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The body of N. Ramachandran, 65, a native of Edappally in Ernakulam district of Kerala, who was killed in the terrorist attack at a tourist spot at Pahalgam in South Kashmir, was flown to Kochi airport amidst emotional scenes and sloganeering against terrorism on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) around 8 p.m.

The deceased’s wife Sheela Ramachandran and daughter Aarathy and her twin children were also on the same flight. The body was initially flown to Delhi from Srinagar.

Reportedly, the victim’s wife, a heart patient, was not told about the tragedy till the body was brought to Kochi. She was only told that he was injured in the attack and was being taken to Kochi for treatment.

Minister for Agriculture P. Prasad paid tribute to the victim on behalf of the State Government and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The body was shifted to the mortuary of a private hospital in the city where it will be kept till Friday morning for the deceased’s brother, Rajagopal, to return from the U.S.

Mr. Rajagopal had left for the U.S. to visit his son on Tuesday, the same day on which Ramachandran had gone to Kashmir via Hyderabad with his wife, daughter and her twin children. The body will be kept for the people to pay homage at Changampuzha Park on Friday.

The funeral is expected to be held at Edappally crematorium on Friday afternoon.

Ramachandran had been in West Asia for an extensive period before he returned permanently to his house along Mangattu Road near Edappally around some two years ago. According to his neighbours and friends, he was quite active and maintained cordial relations in the neighbourhood. His house witnessed a steady flow of friends, relatives and neighbours through Wednesday.

Aarathy alerted Meena Menon, Ms. Ramachandran’s sister, residing in Thripunithura, about the tragedy over the phone on Tuesday (April 22, 2025). Reportedly, her father was shot in front of her very eyes, and she and her twin children had fled for their lives. Ms. Ramachandran has chosen to stay back in the vehicle to avoid the steep climb to the tourist spot where the attack took place.

Union Ministers of State George Kurian and Suresh Gopi, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheeshan, MPs Benny Behanan and Hibi Eden, MLAs T.J. Vinod and Anwar Sadath, District Collector N.S.K. Umesh, BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar were among those who were present to receive the body at the airport.