Ahmedabad: Surjan Singh Bhandari, the National Security Guard (NSG) commando, who was comatose due to a bullet injury sustained while fighting terrorist in Akshardham temple in Gujarat in September 2002, died early today (May 19, 2004) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, family sources said in Ahmedabad.

"Surjan passed away at 4.25 am. In the last few days he suffered from kidney problems and high fever. He just passed away in his sleep early in the morning. We pray for his soul to be in peace. He has been a brave soldier," the brave commando's brother commandant Uttam Singh said

He said the body has been sent for post-mortem and the NSG was making arrangements for it to be flown to Surjan's native village in Uttaranchal.

Uttam Singh said the Group Commandant of NSG had also come to the ward in the morning to pay his respects.