The Bahrain-based employer of Indian engineer K Suryanarayana, who was killed by the Taliban two days after his abduction in Afghanistan, announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh to his family and undertook to take care of the complete education of his three children.

On Sunday, Al-Moayed, hailed the contribution of Suryanarayana and calling him a 'martyr', shut its offices in Bahrain. It announced that all its international offices will be closed on Tuesday and in India, its offices will be closed for three days from Sunday as a mark of respect for Suryanarayana.

'To the departed soul, we can only say that he has not left his family behind helpless. We shall ensure the best of education for his children in order to ensure that one day they become what their father was -- a man of immense dedication, zeal and commitment towards his belief', it said in a statement e-mailed to PTI.

• Image: A family's grief

The company said it will pay immediate compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family -- Suryanarayana's wife and three children.

'At this moment of grief, we are dumbstruck at the inhumanity and cruelty faced by our colleague and declare him a martyr who has given up his life in his belief of the right to a better life for our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan', Al-Moayed said.

Strongly condemning the 'heinous' and 'inhuman' act, it said the company shall not let the 'sacrifice of Suryanarayana go in vain. The company, engaged in a mobile telephone project, also asserted that it will not stop work in Afghanistan. 'As we grieve, our resolve to continue working towards the betterment of the people in Afghanistan remains solid and steadfast and is further strengthened', it said.