Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan | |
|---|---|
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch | Indian Army, National Security Guards |
| Years of service | 1999-2008 |
| Rank | Major, Commando |
| Unit | NSG HQ, Manesar |
Sandeep Unnikrishnan (Template:Lang-ml) (March 17, 1977 – November 28, 2008) was a Major in the Indian Army serving in the elite National Security Guards (NSG) who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in November 2008 Mumbai attacks.[1]
“Do not come up, I will handle them.” These were probably the last words which Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan told his men as he was hit by bullets while engaging terrorists inside the Taj Hotel, Mumbai during the Black Tornado operation.[2]
During the operation, when a commando got injured Major Unnikrishnan arranged for his evacuation and started chasing the terrorists himself. The terrorists escaped to another floor of the hotel and during the chase Major Unnikrishnan was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries.
Family
He hails from a family settled in Bangalore that had migrated from Cheruvannur - Kozhikode district, Kerala.[3] He was the only son of retired ISRO officer Mr. K. Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi.[4]
Childhood
Major Unnikirshnan spent 14 years at the Frank Anthony Public School. A popular figure among his contemporaries, he wanted to join the Army, even attending school in a crew cut. He is remembered as an outstanding student. In 1995 he finished ISC Science from here. He was also a fantastic athlete. Most of his athletic records remained unbroken for many years. Tall, slim boy with the most genial personality he was the house captain and loved by all in the school.[5] He described himself as a movie maniac in his orkut profile[6][7].
Besides his display of courage from young age he had a soft side to him and was a member of the school choir.
Army Career
He joined the National Defense Academy in 1994 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant to the 7 Bihar Regiment[1] in June 1999. After serving the Indian Army in different locations in Jammu & Kashmir to counter insurgencies, he was selected to join the National Security GuardsOn completion of training, he was assigned to the Special Action Group (SAG) of NSG on January 2007 and participated in various operation of the NSG.[8]
Operation Black Tornado
On the night of 26 Nov 2008, several iconic buildings in South Mumbai were attacked by terrorists. One of the buildings where the terrorists held people hostage was the 100 year old Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
Major Unnikrishnan was the commander of 51 SAG deployed in the operation at the Taj Mahal Hotel. He led his team from the front and engaged the terrorists in a fierce gunfight. When one of the NSG commandos was injured in the exchange of fire, he arranged for his evacuation and regardless of personal safety chased the terrorists who, meanwhile, escaped to another floor of the hotel, and while doing so Major Sandeep continuously engaged them. In the encounter that followed, he was shot from the back, seriously injured and succumbed to injuries.[9][10][11]
References
- ^ a b "2 NSG men killed, six others injured in Mumbai gunbattles". PTI. November 28. Retrieved 28-11-2008.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Hero's last words - The Hindu". The Hindu. 2008-11-30.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Check date values in:|date=(help); Text "http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113060690800.htm" ignored (help) - ^ "Army Major from Kerala dies in Mumbai encounter". WebIndia 123. November 28. Retrieved 28-11-2008.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081129/jsp/nation/story_10182139.jsp
- ^ "A school remembers". TOI. Times of India. 2008-11-29. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.orkut.com/Main#Profile.aspx?uid=5185304287748406909
- ^ "Sandeep Unnikrishnan: A movie maniac". India Today. India Today. 2008-11-30. Retrieved 2008-11-30.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=102951
- ^ "Sandeep Unnikrishnan waged a valiant battle against terrorists". The Hindu. November 29. Retrieved 29-11-2008.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nation-bids-adieu-to-ats-chief-nsg-commando/79337-3.html
- ^ http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Maj_Sandeep_UnniKrishnan_-_A_school_remembers/articleshow/3770767.cms
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