Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was an Indian Army Officer who lost his life in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. He led the NSG commando team tasked with rescuing hostages from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
Wiki/Biography
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was born on Tuesday, 15 March 1977 (age 31 years; at death) in Kozhikode, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces. Sandeep completed his schooling at The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore in 1992. Sandeep then joined the National Defense Academy in 1995 from where he graduated as a lieutenant. Sandeep was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (infantry) on 12 June 1999.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5’10
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Family & Caste
Sandeep Unnikrishnan belongs to a Malayali family from Kozhikode, Kerala.
parents
Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s father’s name is K. Unnikrishnan. He is a retired ISRO officer. His mother’s name is Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan.
Sandeep’s parents, K Unnikrishnan (father) and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan (mother)
Wife
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was married to Neha Unnikrishnan at the time of his death.
Sandeep Unnikrishnan with his wife Neha Unnikrishnan
Military Career
After graduating as a lieutenant, Sandeep Unnikrishnan was assigned to the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (infantry) in June 1999, and he was sent for the Kargil War of 1999. Sandeep led a team that faced heavy artillery and small arms fire. firing from Pakistani army. In December 1999, Sandeep managed to set up a post just 200m from the enemy’s base position when they were attacked by them. On 12 June 2003, Sandeep was promoted to the rank of captain, and he became a major on 12 June 2005. Sandeep topped the ‘Ghatak Course,’ which is considered one of the toughest courses in the Indian Army and he got ‘Instructor. ‘ grading and commendation in 2006. Sandeep Unnikrishnan decided to join the National Security Guard (NSG), and after completing the tough training, Sandeep joined 51 SAG NSG on 20 January 2007.
Mumbai 26/11 Attack
On November 26, 2008, several iconic buildings of Mumbai such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, Oberoi Trident, Nariman House, etc., were attacked by ten terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba, an extremist organization. Sandeep Unnikrishnan was asked to report on November 27, 2008 in Mumbai. Sandeep leads the NSG commando team, and the task of the team is to rescue all the hostages from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and clear the area for further protocols. Sandeep and his team were searching for hostages during their rescue operation when one of Sandeep’s friends, Sunil Kumar Yadav, was shot in both legs after terrorists opened fire on them. After the safe evacuation of Sunil Kumar Yadav, Sandeep decides to go after the terrorists alone while his team evacuates the hostages. In the shootout, a terrorist is shot, and Sandeep follows the trail of blood to another floor of the hotel. Upon entering the floor, Sandeep is shocked, and he is shot in the back. By the time the rescue team reached the floor, Sandeep had succumbed to his injuries and gunshot wounds. According to NSG officials, his last words were-
Don’t go up, I’ll take care of them,”
Flames and smoke billow from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel after the November 26 attack
Ashoka Chakra
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously, which his mother, Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan, received on 26 January 2009 from the President of India Pratibha Patil. The official citation for the Ashoka Chakra award reads-
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led a commando operation launched on 27 November 2008 to evict terrorists from the Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai where he rescued 14 hostages. During the operation, his team was attacked by a heavy enemy attack, during which one of his team members was seriously injured. injured. Major Sandeep pinned down the terrorists with accurate fire and rescued the injured commando to safety. In the process, he was shot in his right arm. Despite his injuries, he continued to fight terrorists until his last breath. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan displayed the most conspicuous bravery besides friendship and leadership of the highest order and made the supreme sacrifice for the country.”
Sandeep’s mother received the Ashoka Chakra award from the President of India Pratibha Patil
Death
On November 28, 2008, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led his NSG commando team through the main entrance of the Taj Hotel and up the stairs to conduct a search operation in the hotel for remaining terrorists. One of Unnikrishnan’s squad mates is injured, and he asks his team to retreat as he continues to follow the trail of the terrorists. Sandeep follows the terrorist and as he enters the ballroom lobby, he is attacked by the terrorist hiding behind a table and two couches. Sandeep’s body twisted after hitting the floor, and he succumbed to his injuries. His body was found by Major Kandwal and Major Jasrotia, riddled with bullets and lying in a sticky pool of his own blood. Major Kandwal then uses his cell phone to inform Colonel Sheoran at the base that Sandeep is gone. He was part of the 51st SAG (Special Action Group), and his death was a realization for others of their own mortality.
Facts/Trivia
- News of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s death was shared by officials on November 29, 2008. The media was informed of the casualties once the target was neutralized and the area secured by officials. Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s funeral was held with full military honours, and the mourners present chanted-
Sandeep Unnikrishnan Amar Rahe”
Last rites of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
- In honor of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the road from MS Palya to Federal-Mogul junction on Doddaballapur Road in Bangalore has been renamed Sandeep Unnikrishnan Main Road. Earlier, this road was known as The Mother Dairy Double Road. A granite slab with the name of Sandeep Unnikrishnan was also installed at the Ramamurthy Nager Outer Ring Road junction in Bangalore. In September 2018, the structure was damaged when a mini-truck driver lost control and crashed into the structure.
Statue of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in Bangalore
- Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s uncle, K. Mohanan, is deeply saddened by the way the administration and political parties treated the victims of the 26/11 attacks. K Mohanan committed suicide by setting himself on fire in front of parliament in February 2011. He was rushed to hospital, but his body suffered 98% burns, and during treatment, he suffered a heart attack and could not survive. He left a suicide note that read-
Administrators and representatives of political parties could not do anything for the victims of the 26/11 attack… Is it really a war against two countries? Is the decision taken by the government after the Kandhahar incident the cause of the Mumbai attacks? Sandu mon, (Sandeep Unnikrishnan) you are forgotten every day, but I can’t.”
- The events of 26/11 have been marked as a terrible event in the history of our country. The incident has inspired many filmmakers to recreate the event in the form of a web series or film including Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘The Attacks of 26/11’ (2013), and ZEE5’s web series ‘Black Tornado’ (2018).
Black Tornado web series cover poster
- In 2020, actor and producer Mahesh Babu collaborated with Sony Pictures Entertainment and registered two titles- ‘Major’ and ‘Major Sandeep’ with the producers association to make a biopic on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. The actor of the film met Sandeep’s parents before they started shooting for the film to get their consent. The lead role of Sandeep Unnikrishnan is played by actor Adivi Sesh. During the interview, Adivi said-
After the media frenzy, many filmmakers approached them. I promised myself I would treat them like my own parents for the rest of my life regardless of whether we made the film or not. Sandeep’s mother told me she could see her son in me. I was so moved that I just hugged him for a long time.
- The first poster of the film was released on January 29, 2021, and the film is set to release on July 2, 2021.
First look at Major movie
- Sandeep Unnikrishnan is a very energetic and optimistic person. He is a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. In an interview with The Hindu, his father said-
My son always has this attitude to win in everything he does. He likes Sachin Tendulkar for this reason. Sandeep always wants our country to win. When India lost a match, he used to be very upset. He also used to console me whenever ISRO projects failed. He doesn’t like defeat.”
Sandeep Unnikrishnan laughs during a conversation with his colleagues
- Sandeep Unnikrishnan is a man of philanthropic nature. In the same interview, his father further added-
I don’t know about it. It was only after he left that I realized it. Going through his bank balance, I found only ₹3,000 to ₹4,000, even though he received a decent salary. I think he can’t save much because he probably buys expensive branded products. But his friends spoke of his charity. One of his colleagues told me that he had taken care of all the health expenses of his mother, who suffered from spinal problems. In addition, Sandeep always donates money to several charitable institutions. I realized this when I started receiving reminders about donation renewals after his passing.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
