Fw: Maj Sandeep Unnikrishnan- A real Hero

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Meet our Hero, friendly neighbourhood - Major

Sandeep Unnikrishnan (7 Bihar Regiment). He gave his life just to let us

breathe in terror-free air. We all pray to almighty to give peace to his

holy soul as also many others gallant people who sacrificed their lives so that

we can live in peace.

 

 

at

one of the numerous sunset points, hampi

 

 

at a two storied

building used for commercial purposes, main street hampi

 

 

sitting at the base

of the via-duct, massive stone boulders

 

 

 

 

exit of a secret

passage we found, with steps carved into rock to access a remote stand-alone

sentry post

 

 

at the base of the

stone chariot, hampi

 

 

the corner stage,

aligning the city walls

 

 

 

massive stone pillars

on a corner stage

 

Hails from Kerala,

family settled in Bangalore, commissioned in the Bihar regiment, gave his life

while saving Mumbai (I should better say India)

 

Meet our Hero, friendly neighbourhood - Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan( 7, Bihar

Regiment), he gave his life just to let us breathe in terror-free air. We all

pray to almighty to give peace to his holy soul.

 

 

 

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

March 17, 1977(1977-03-17) – November 28, 2008 (aged 31)

Place of birth Calicut, Kerala

Place of death Mumbai, Maharashtra

Place of burial Hebbal, Bangalore , Karnataka

Allegiance India

Service/branch Indian Army, National Security Guards

Years of service 1999-2008

Rank Major, Commando

Unit NSG HQ, Manesar

Sandeep Unnikrishnan(March 17, 1977 – November 28, 2008) was a Major in the

Indian Army serving in the elite National Security Guards (NSG) who was led his

life in an encounter with terrorists in November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

" 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.

 

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 He was the only son of retired ISRO officer Mr. K.

Unnikrishnan and Mrs. Dhanalakshmi.

 

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. He described himself as a movie maniac in his orkut profile.

 

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 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.

 

Black Tornado Operation

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.

 

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Dies a Hero's Death

Posted on November 29, 2008 by nsemarket

Being in the forefront of the National Security Guards operations at the Taj

Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan not only waged a valiant

battle against the terrorists but also did his best to save his injured

colleagues and in the bargain lost his life. He showed the real warrior in him

before laying down his life.

 

Thirty-one-year- old Major Sandeep is the only son of retired ISRO officer K.

Unnikrishnan, who is settled in Bangalore .

His father told presspersons: " I lost my son in Mumbai on Friday. Though I do

not like to call him a martyr, I can proudly say that he has done something for

this country. " He was informed of the death of his son by the Deputy

Inspector-General of Police (National Security Guards).

 

According to information reaching the family, " Major Sandeep was leading a team

and during the operations two of his colleagues sustained bullet injuries. In

a bid to save them Sandeep turned back. The bullets fired by the terrorists

pierced him. On November 26, he had called us and said that one of his

childhood friends is getting married in the city on December 17. He had planned

to attend that marriage, " Mr. Unnikrishnan said.

 

Major Sandeep was ambitious, talented and a brave soul, said his friends and

neighbours. He joined the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the

Bihar 7th Regiment in 1999. He was drafted to the NSG after his gallantry was

recognised, " Kiran Srivasthav, a childhood friend of Major Sandeep.

 

According to Anirudh Uppal, Inspector-General (Headquarters) National Security

Guards (NSG), Major Sandeep had exposure to counter insurgency operations after

having served in Jammu and Kashmir for two terms. He was deputed to the NSG on

January 20, 2007 and participated in various operations conducted by the elite

force.

 

The gallant officer of the team commander of 51 SAG was deployed to clear Hotel

Taj Mahal of extremists on November 27. He led the 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 seriously injured and succumbed to

injuries.

 

Tearful adieu to Major Unnikrishnan

 

November 29, 2008 14:59 IST

Bangalore on Saturday bid a tearful farewell to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the

NSG commando who was killed in the bloodiest counter-offensive at the Taj

hotel in Mumbai.

Family members, friends and army personnel besides thousands of ordinary people

came out in the streets to pay homage to the martyr who laid down his life

during the unprecedented anti-terror operation.

Unnikrishnan was killed while trying to pursue a fleeing terrorist at Taj.

The body of the slain hero was draped with the tricolour. Tears streamed down

the cheeks of many as emotional family members and friends broke down while

bidding adieu to the braveheart. The funeral was held with full military

honours.

 

As emotions ran high, the crowd raised slogans like Bharat Mata Ki Jaiwhile

paying their last respects to the martyr.

 

Slain Major led from front: NSG chief

November 29, 2008 09:29 IST

The operation to secure control over Taj Hotel would not have been successful

had it not been for the valiant effort put forth by the commandos of the NSG.

While announcing the culmination of operations inside the Taj Hotel early

Saturday morning, NSG Director General J K Dutt said Major Sandeep

Unnikrishnan, who was killed in action on Friday, played a stellar role in

eliminating the terrorists.

 

Major Unnikrishnan was with the 51 Special Action Group of the force and was

with the NSG on deputation. He has been with the Black Cat commando force for

the last two years.

An officer of the Bihar Regiment, he was commissioned in the Indian Army]in

June 1999. The officer had joined the NSG on deputation in January 2007 after

having served two tenures with his battalion in counter insurgency and counter

terrorism roles.

Major Unnikrishnan' s father refuses to meet Kerala CM

30 Nov 2008, 2312 hrs IST, PTI

BANGALORE: Faced with criticism for delay in showing respect to slain NSG

commando Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Kerala chief minister V S but a depressed

father of Sandeep declined to accept his condolences.

 

 

DG, NSG, Jyoti Krishan Dutt, along with colleagues pay their respects to NSG

men Sandeep Unnikrishnan and Gajendra Singh who laid their lives fighting

terrorists in Mumbai. (PTI Photo)

 

Achuthanandan on Sunday called on the soldier'sfamily membershere,

The opposition parties in Kerala have accused the state government of having

shown disrespect to the Kerala-born soldier, who lost his life while combating

terrorists in Mumbai, by not sending any minister to his funeral, attended by a

large number of people, including Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa,

here on Saturday.

 

Achutanandan accompanied by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan rushed to the

city on Sunday evening.

 

As Sandeep's fatherUnnikrishnan remained firm that no politician should enter

his house and refused to meet the dignatories from his own state, police

persuaded Dhanalakshmi, mother of the slain commando, to talk to the guests.

 

Amid continued protests from Unnikrishnan, Balakrishnan gave words of comfort

to Dhanalakshmi and Achuthanandan followed him.

 

Sources close to Unnikrishnan said he even went to the extent of issuing a

threat that he would commit suicide if any politician entered his house.

 

He had told his friends that his son, whose valour was witnessed by the entire

country, did not belong to Kerala alone but to the entire nation.

 

Unnikrishnan refused to allow policesniffer dogs into the house when security

personnel came there ahead of the Kerala Chief Minister's visit to perform

their duties.

 

Meanwhile, a spokesman for Achuthanandan in Thiruvananthapuram said the

political secretary of the chief minister had attended the funeral.

 

 

Maj Sandeep UnniKrishnan - A school remembers

29 Nov 2008, 0028 hrs IST

 

BANGALORE : Maj. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who laid down his life fighting

terrorists at the Nariman House, spent 14 years of his life at the

 

Frank Anthony Public School. A popular figure among his contemporaries, Major

Unnikrishnan had only one mission in his life -- to join the Army.

 

According to principal C Browne, who also taught the Armyman math and physics

in Class 10, Maj. Unnikrishnan was an outstanding student. " He finished ISC

Science from here, way back in 1995. Besides this, he was also a fantastic

athlete. Most of his athletic records remained unbroken for many years, "

reminisces Browne.

 

The principal, who has taught at FAPS for the past 30 years, said he remembered

Major Sandeep as a tall, slim boy with the most genial personality. " He was the

house captain and loved by all. Ever since he was a boy, he wanted to join the

Army. He even wore his hair like the commandos, " added Browne.

 

Besides displaying traits of courage and valour, Maj. Unnikrishnan also had a

soft side to him. According to Browne, he also sang in the school choir for

many years. " I remember him as a happy-go-lucky kid. As a school, we plan to

honour him by holding a memorial assembly service along with a few of his

classmates, " said Browne.

 

 

One note:-

" We salute you and your parents dear Major. These last three days I have

learnt that India needs more people like you. There are no hopes from any party

as everybody's are greedy for votes. Their tears are also crocodiletears. It's

we common Indians who have save our lives. I have a son of two years . I was

thinking that I can't send my child to any armed forces. But now I have

changed. If we all think like this then who will do the job. I thank you and

many other brave soldiers for that. Now if my son wants to go i will proudly

say YES to him. Jai Hind, Vande Matram. "

 

 

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