IAF Chopper Crash: JWO Pradeep Met Ailing Father Days Ago, He's Still Unaware Of Son's Death
For the people of Kerala, the Indian Air Force helicopter crash in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu on Wednesday, that killed 13 people including Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika Rawat is also the loss of one of their own, someone who came to their help, when it was much needed.
Junior Warrant Officer Pradeep Arakkal, a native of Ponnukkara in Thrissur District was one of those killed in the crash.
Helped in 2018 Kerala floods
In Kerala, many have fond memories of the 37-year-old officer, from 2018, when the devastating floods hit the state was at the forefront of the IAF's relief and rescue mission.
Photos and videos of Pradeep, dropping relife materials including food from his IAF chopper is still fresh in the memories of many.
Kerala government had also honoured him for being part of the mission.
Pradeep, who joined the Air Force in 2004 was posted in the Sulur airbase in Coimbatore.
Pradeep had also participated in the anti-naxal operations in Chhattisgarh and flood relief operations in Uttarakhand.
Resumed duty a week back
He had resumed duty less than a week ago after spending two weeks with his family including his father Radhakrishnan, who is on life support due to chronic pulmonary disease.
He had also celebrated his son's birthday with the family when he was home.?
The family which received the devastating news on Wednesday evening is yet to inform Radhakrishnan who is a hospital about Pradeep's death.
According to his mother Kumari, on Tuesday, Pradeep had called her to share his joy on getting an opportunity to accompany the Chief of Defence Staff.
Pradeep was one of the two flight gunners onboard the ill-fated helicopter on Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
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