Afghan blast victim John Martis laid to rest in Udupi

[email protected] (CD Network)
July 13, 2013

Udupi, July 12: Heads were bowed in sorrow and teary shed at the residence of John Vikram Martis from Bailakere, Malpe, who died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan last week, as family members, relatives and friends grieved over his mortal remains on Friday.

His body was flown to Mangalore early on Friday, and was taken to his residence, when a large number of people and well-wishers came to pay their last respects.

John (36) was a full-time employee of United Nations Organisation (UNO) and had been deputed to Afghanistan to work with NATO troops from the past 18 months.

His brother Vijay Martis sorrowfully said that John had been happy with his job and did not harbour any plans of returning from Afghanistan.

“Bomb blasts are common in Afghanistan, where two or three blasts occur each day. John was required to travel regularly and had paid visits to Afghanistan previously. I do not have any complaint with the company he was employed, infact I am grateful to them,” he said, extending his gratitude to the Indian Embassya and the Ministry of External Affairs.

He said that John died in a bomb blast which was a part of a Taliban camp fight, and was unaware of how the attack took place.

An employee in the finance department of the same company, Vijay said that he chose to continue working with them.

John was single and is survived by his mother and two brothers. The last rites of the deceased were held in the evening on Friday at St Anne's Church in Thottam in Udupi district.

John_Vikram_1
John_Vikram_2
John_Vikram_3

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.
News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

Comments

Add new comment

  • Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
  • Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
  • Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
  • Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.