Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was an Indian Army officer who lost his life in the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks. He was leading a team of NSG commandos who were tasked with rescuing hostages from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai.
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Wiki/Biography
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was born on Tuesday, 15 March 1977 (age 31 at the time of death) in Kozhikode, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces. Sandeep completed his schooling from 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 colour: black
Hair Color: Black
family and caste
Sandeep Unnikrishnan belongs to a Malayali family from Kozhikode, Kerala.
Guardian
Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s father’s name is K. This is 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
At the time of his death Sandeep Unnikrishnan was married to Neha Unnikrishnan.
Sandeep Unnikrishnan with his wife Neha Unnikrishnan
military career
After graduating as a Lieutenant, Sandeep Unnikrishnan was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (Infantry) in June 1999, and was sent to the Kargil War of 1999. Sandeep was leading the team which was facing heavy artillery fire and small arms fire from Pakistani troops. In December 1999, when the enemy was attacking them, Sandeep managed to set up a post just 200 meters away from the spot. On 12 June 2003, Sandeep was promoted to the rank of Captain, and on 12 June 2005, he became Major. Sandeep topped the ‘Ghatak Course’, considered one of the toughest courses in the Indian Army and earned the title of ‘Instructor’. ‘Grading and commendation in 2006. Sandeep Unnikrishnan decided to join the National Security Guard (NSG), and after completing rigorous training, Sandeep joined 51 SAG NSG on 20 January 2007.
mumbai 26/11 attack
On 26 November 2008, many iconic buildings of Mumbai like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Nariman House etc. were attacked by ten terrorists of the extremist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba. Sandeep Unnikrishnan was asked to report for duty in Mumbai on 27 November 2008. Sandeep was leading a team of NSG commandos, and the task of the force was 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 associates, Sunil Kumar Yadav, was shot in both legs after terrorists fired at them. After the safe evacuation of Sunil Kumar Yadav, Sandeep decided to go after the terrorists alone while his team evacuated the hostages. In the firing, a terrorist got shot and Sandeep reached the second floor of the hotel with a trail of blood. As soon as he entered the floor, Sandeep was captured and shot in his back. By the time the rescue teams reached the destination, Sandeep had succumbed to his injuries and gunshot wounds. According to NSG officials, his last words were-
Don’t come over, I’ll take care of them.”
Fire and smoke coming out from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel after the 26 November attack
Ashoka Chakra
Sandeep Unnikrishnan was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, which was received by his mother Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan from the President of India, Pratibha Patil, on 26 January 2009. The official citation of the Ashok Chakra Award reads-
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led the commando operation launched on 27 November 2008 to flush out terrorists from Hotel Taj Mahal in Mumbai, in which he rescued 14 hostages. During the operation, his team came under intense hostile fire, in which one of his team members was seriously injured. Injured. Major Sandeep killed the terrorists with accurate firing and rescued the injured commando safely. In this sequence, he got shot in his right hand. Despite his injuries, he continued fighting the terrorists until his last breath. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan displayed valor and leadership of the highest order besides displaying most conspicuous bravery and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Sandeep’s mother receiving the Ashok Chakra award from the President of India Pratibha Patil
Death
On 28 November 2008, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led his team of NSG commandos through the main entrance of the Taj Hotel and up the stairs to conduct a search operation in the hotel for the remaining terrorists. One of Unnikrishnan’s comrades was injured, and he asked his team to stand back as he continued to pursue the terrorists. Sandeep chased the terrorists and as he entered the lobby of the ballroom hall, he was attacked by a terrorist hiding behind a table and two sofas. After hitting the floor, Sandeep’s body twisted and he died. Major Kandwal and Major Jasrotia found his body, riddled with bullets and lying in a sticky pool of his own blood. Major Kandwal uses his cell-phone to inform Colonel Sheoran at the base that Sandeep is no more. He was part of 51 SAG (Special Action Group), and his death was a realization for others of their own death.
Facts/General Knowledge
- News of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s death was shared by officials on 29 November 2008. The media were informed of the number of casualties after the targets were neutralized and areas were secured by authorities. The last rites of Sandeep Unnikrishnan were performed with full military honors and the mourners present there raised slogans –
Long live Sandeep Unnikrishnan.
Funeral of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
- In honor of Sandeep Unnikrishnan, the road from MS Palya Junction to Federal-Mogul on Doddaballapur Road in Bangalore was renamed as Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road. Earlier this road was known as Mother Dairy Double Road. A granite slab in the name of Sandeep Unnikrishnan was also installed at the Ramamurthy Nagar Outer Ring Road junction in Bengaluru. In September 2018, the structure was damaged when the driver of a mini truck lost control and collided with the structure.
Statue of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in Bengaluru
- The way the administration and political parties were treating the victims of 26/11 attacks, Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s uncle K. Mohanan was very sad. K Mohanan committed suicide by setting himself on fire in front of Parliament in February 2011. He was taken to the hospital, but his body suffered 98% burns and during treatment he suffered a heart attack and did not survive. He left a suicide note which read-
Administrators and representatives of political parties could not do anything for the victims of 26/11 attacks… Was it really a war against two countries? Did the government take a decision after the Kandahar incident to be the reason for the Mumbai attack? Sandu Mon, (Sandeep Unnikrishnan) You are forgotten with each passing day, but I cannot forget.”
- The incident of 26/11 is marked as a terrible incident in the history of our country. The incident has inspired several filmmakers to recreate the events as web series or films, including ‘The Attacks of 26/11’ (2013), directed by Ram Gopal Varma, and the ZEE5 web series ‘Black Tornado. ‘ (2018) are included.
Cover poster of web series Black Tornado
- In 2020, actor and producer Mahesh Babu collaborated with Sony Pictures Entertainment and registered two titles – ‘Major’ and ‘Major Sandeep’ – with the producer’s association to make a biopic on the life of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. The cast of the film met Sandeep’s parents to get their consent before starting the shooting of the film. The lead role of Sandeep Unnikrishnan is played by actor Adivi Shesh. During an interview Adivasi said-
After the uproar in the media, many film producers contacted him. I promised myself that I would treat them like my parents throughout my life, whether we made the film or not. Sandeep’s mother told me that she could see her son in me. I was so overwhelmed that I kept hugging her for a long time.”
- The first poster of the film was released on 29 January 2021 and the film will be released on 2 July 2021.
First look of the film Major
- Sandeep Unnikrishnan was a very energetic and optimistic person. He was a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar. In an interview with The Hindu his father said-
My son has always had the attitude to win in whatever he does. For this reason he liked Sachin Tendulkar. Sandeep always wanted our country to win. He felt very disappointed when India lost a match. Whenever any ISRO project failed, he used to console me. He didn’t like defeat.
Sandeep Unnikrishnan laughing while talking to his colleague
- Sandeep Unnikrishnan was a person of philanthropic nature. In the same interview his father further said-
I didn’t know about it. I realized this only after he left. On checking his bank balance, I found only ₹3,000 to ₹4,000, although he was earning a good salary. I thought he couldn’t save much because he could buy expensive branded products. But his colleagues talked about his charity. One of his colleagues told me that he had borne all the health expenses of his mother, who was suffering from spinal problems. Apart from this, Sandeep was regularly donating money to many charitable institutions. I realized this when after he left I started getting reminders about renewal of donations.
See more: Anjali Tendulkar Wiki
Anjali Arora Wiki
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn