Warrant Officer Ballachanda Medappa (Retd.), son of late Ballachanda Nanjappa, passed away at 4.30 am today at his residence in Kiggal village, Murnad, Kodagu. He was 91.

Warrant Officer Medappa was a Flight Gunner in the Indian Air Force, decorated with gallantry award Mention-in-Despatch by Chief of Air Staff for his exemplary courage displayed against the face of enemy during 1965 Indo-Pak war.  This Air Warrior’s cremation took place at his coffee estate in Kiggal today afternoon, attended by his relatives, friends and a lot of Military Veterans.