The body of software engineer Buddhe Kiran, who was shot dead by unknown assailants in South Africa nearly a week ago, reached Hyderabad on Saturday morning. The coffin carrying the body was handed over to Kiran's family members, including his father B Shankaraiah.

"It was only two weeks ago that we had seen off my son at this airport," said an inconsolable Shankaraiah. He thanked the state government for making arrangements to bring the body back from Johannesburg.

The body was later taken to Arepally village in Warangal district, where he will be cremated later today evening.
Kiran's friend Sridhar, who was also injured in the firing by suspected robbers, was still recuperating in the hospital. Sridhar hails from Rajahmundry in East Godavari district. 

According to his family sources, Sridhar was scheduled to come to India just two days after the attack, but the robbers snatched away his hand bag containing his passport and ticket on July 2. When he requested them to return his bag, as it had the ticket and his passport, the enraged robbers fired at the duo.

Kiran, who was critically wounded, succumbed to his injuries later.