Meet Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, The 26/11 Hero

“Don’t Come Up, I Will Handle Them”

-Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s last Message on 26/11

The terror attack at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on 26 November 2008 is something that the people of India cannot forget. The terrorist attack was dreadful and very unfortunate. Numerous innocent people were held hostage at the hotel and many people were killed. The people responsible for the rescue operation were martyred which included the army, policemen, and ATS personnel of our country. One of the Bravehearts who saved lives without caring about his own was Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

In this article, we are going to discuss everything about the fearless soul, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan. Major Sandeep was an Indian Army officer, serving in the 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards on deputation. During the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, he was Martyred in action. Hence, he was awarded India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the Ashoka Chakra on 26 January 2009.

Here is everything you should know about the valiant Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan:

Sandeep Unnikrishnan family and childhood

Sandeep Unnikrishnan was born on 15 March 1977 in Cheruvannur, Kozhikode district, Kerala. He belonged to a Malayali family. After his birth, his family moved to Bangalore from Cheruvannur.

He was the only child of retired ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) officer K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan. Major Unnikrishnan studied at the Frank Anthony Public School in Bangalore for 14 years. He graduated in 1995 in the Science stream.

He was very good at school activities and sports events and he was early to realize that he wanted to join the Army. He was athletic right from his school days. At school was also a member of the school choir and enjoyed watching movies.

 

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Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan wife

There have been a lot of questions about Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan like is major Sandeep Unnikrishnan married? Who is Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan wife? Who is Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan daughter? and many more. According to reports, Neha Unnikrishnan is considered his wife.

Sandeep Unnikrishnan joined the National Defense Academy (NDA) in 1995

Sandeep Unnikrishnan got selected for NDA’s 94th course. In the National Defense Academy, Sandeep Unnikrishnan was part of the oscar Squadron. As mentioned by his friends his nature was calm and composed.

He also had a generous and selfless personality. Major Sandeep was appointed as a lieutenant to the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment (Infantry) on 12 July 1999 while the Kargil war was going on. Major Unnikrishnan was sent to join the Kargil war. During the Kargil war, he was posted on the Forward Post.

During ‘Operation Vijay’ in July 1999, Pakistani troops continued heavy artillery attacks. Sandeep Unnikrishnan showed his patience and determination by responding to the heavy bombardment. He led a team of six soldiers, established a post 200 meters from the opposing side, and under direct observation and fire.

Sandeep Unnikrishnan was promoted to captain on 12 June 2003, followed by promotion to major on 13 June 2005

During counter insurgencies, he served in the Indian Army in different locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Siachen, Gujarat (during the 2002 Gujarat Riots), and Rajasthan for two terms. He was then selected to join the National Security Guards.

He was assigned to the Special Action Group (SAG) of NSG in January 2007 on completion of training. He was also trained at High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg.

In January 2007, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was assigned as the training officer of the 51 Special Action Group (51 SAG) of NSG. He also participated in several operations of the NSG.

Sandeep Unnikrishnan topped the most challenging course of the Army, the ‘Ghatak course’ (at the Commando Wing (Infantry School), Belgaum)

He earned an “Instructor Grading” and commendation. He chose the NSG commando service and joined on deputation in 2006.

Operation Black Tornado (November 2008)

Numerous iconic buildings in South Mumbai were attacked on the dreadful night of 26 November 2008. The 100-year-old Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was one of the buildings where hostages were held.

As Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the team commander of 51 Special Action Group (51 SAG), he was deployed in the operation at the hotel to rescue the hostages.

• Major Unnikrishnan entered the hotel with a group of 10 commandos. They reached the sixth floor through the staircase.
• The team suspected perpetrators on the third floor. They found a room that was locked from the inside and a few women were held as hostages in there. When the rescue team decided to break open the door, they faced a barrage of fire from the terrorists.
• Major Unnikrishnan’s colleague, Commando Sunil Yadav was hit by the rounds of fire by the terrorists. To arrange for Yadav’s evacuation, Major Unnikrishnan engaged in a firefight with the terrorists.

• Later Major Unnikrishnan went after the terrorists who had escaped to another floor of the hotel.
• He was shot from the back while he was chasing the terrorists. The encounter was fatal enough to cost his life.
• According to NSG officials, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan last words were,

“Do not come up, I will handle them”

• The assigned mission was successfully completed by his team as they were motivated by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s exceptional courage and leadership. His comrades successfully eliminated all the terrorists.

At Sandeep Unnikrishnan funeral, mourners intonated,

“Sandeep Unnikrishnan Amar Rahe” (“May Sandeep Unnikrishnan(‘s name) remain eternal”)

His funeral was held with military honors. Thousands of people lined up outside his house in Bangalore to pay their respects.

For his remarkable courage, headstrong personality, and sacrifice, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was given the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award “Ashok Chakra”

• The Mother Dairy Double Road in Bengaluru was renamed Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road in his honor It is a 4.5 km (2.8 mi) stretch from Federal Mogul on Doddaballapur Road to MS Palya junction, within Yelahanka New Town.

• To honor him, a bust of Unnikrishnan is installed on Ramamurthy Nagar Outer Ring Road junction in Bangalore.

 

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• There is a Bust of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, Ashoka Chakra at The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore

• There is also a bust of Unnikrishnan at the entrance of the Indian Education Society on Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, Mumbai.
• An army housing complex at Whitefield, Bangalore is named ‘Sandeep Vihar’. There is a bust of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan in the center of the Housing complex.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan movie

The movie based on Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s life is produced by actor Mahesh Babu, Sony Pictures International Productions, and A+S Movies. The film’s title is Major. Adivi Sesh plays the role of Unnikrishnan.

The movie was released worldwide on 3 June 2022, though the principal photography of the film began early in February 2020.