R N Agarwal, regarded as the father of Agni missiles in the country, passed away in Hyderabad. He was 84.
Agarwal, a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, died on Thursday following mild old-age related ailments, DRDO sources said.
He had served as the Agni programme director and also as the director of Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad.
Former President A P J Abdul Kalam and 'Missile Man' of India had started IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme) and Agni was a key programme in it, the sources said.
Agarwal was instrumental in initiating the Agni series of missiles, they said.
The Telangana government on Friday decided to conduct the funeral of Agarwal with police honours on August 17, an official communication said.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary Santhi Kumar to issue orders for conducting the funeral with the honours.
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