Body of Keralite killed in Pehalgam terrorist attack likely to be flown into Kochi tonight

Air India flight AI 1828/AI 503 likely to transport deceased's body from Srinagar to Delhi, then to Kochi. Last rites on April 24, 2025.

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, is likely to be flown into Kochi via Delhi by Wednesday (April 23, 2025) night.

The Air India flight, AI 1828/AI 503, carrying the mortal remains of the deceased, will take off from Srinagar for Delhi at 11.30 a.m. After the official ceremonies in Delhi, the body is expected to be flown into Kochi airport around 8 p.m., according to authorities.

Also Read: Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: Home Minister Amit Shah arrives at Baisaran meadow at Pahalgam

“Names of the victim’s family members are in the passenger list of the flight reaching the Kochi airport around 8 p.m. We expect the body to be flown in on the same flight. The body will be kept for the public to pay homage, and the last rites are likely to be held on Thursday (April 24, 2025),” said Shantha Vijayan, councillor of Dhevankulangara division of Kochi Corporation.

Ramachandran and his wife, Sheela Ramachandran, moved into their house along Mangattu Road near Edappally from Abu Dhabi around five years back. The couple, along with their daughter Aarathy and her seven-year-old twins, had gone to Kashmir via Hyderabad on Monday (April 21, 2025).

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.

“Repeated attempts to reach Aarathy failed since that call yesterday. Initially, her brother in Bengaluru had planned to go to Kashmir but was asked to drop that plan owing to logistical issues,” said Ms. Menon.