Sandeep Unnikrishnan

Sandeep Unnikrishnan (15 March 1977 – 28 November 2008) was an officer in the Indian Army serving in the elite Special Action Group of the National Security Guards. He was martyred in action during the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.[2] He was consequently awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, on 26 January 2009 by the president Pratibha Patil.[3]

In this Indian name, the name Unnikrishnan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Sandeep.
Major

Sandeep Unnikrishnan

AC
Born(1977-03-15)15 March 1977
Kozhikode, Kerala, India
Died28 November 2008(2008-11-28) (aged 31)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Cremation[1]
Hebbal, Bangalore, Karnataka
Allegiance India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1999–2008
RankMajor
Service numberIC-58660
Unit51 SAG, NSG
7 BIHAR
Battles/warsOperation Vijay
Operation Parakram
Operation Rakshak
Counter-Insurgency
Operation Black Tornado
Awards Ashoka Chakra

Operation Parakram Medal

Special Service Medal

Sainya Seva Medal

High Altitude Service Medal

9 Years Long Service Medal

Early and personal life

Sandeep Unnikrishnan came from a Malayali family residing in Bangalore, where they had moved from Cheruvannur, Kozhikode District in the state of Kerala.[4] He was the only son of retired ISRO officer K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan.[5]

Sandeep spent 14 years at The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore[6] before graduating in 1995 in the ISC Science stream.[7] He wanted to join the Army, even attending school in a crew cut. His peers and teachers recalled him as being a good athlete who was active in school activities and sports events.[8] He was also a member of the school choir and enjoyed watching movies.[8][9]

Army career

Sandeep joined the National Defence Academy (India) (NDA), Pune, Maharashtra in 1995. He was a part of the Oscar Squadron (No. 4 Battalion) and a graduate of the 94th Course NDA. He graduated as a Bachelor of Arts. His NDA friends remember him as "selfless", "generous" and "calm and composed".[10]

He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment[2] (Infantry) on 12 June 1999.[11] During Operation Vijay in July 1999, he was regarded positively at the forward posts in the face of heavy artillery firing and small arms fire by Pakistan troops. On the evening of 31 December 1999,[12] Sandeep led a team of six soldiers and managed to establish a post 200 metres from the opposing side and under direct observation and fire.[13]

Promoted captain on 12 June 2003 and to major on 12 June 2005,[14][15] Sandeep opted for the NSG commando service which he joined on deputation in 2006.[16] After serving the Indian Army in different locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan during counter insurgencies for two terms, he was selected to join the National Security Guards. On completion of training, he was assigned to the Special Action Group (SAG) of NSG on January 2007 and participated in various operations of the NSG.[17] During the 'Ghatak course' (at the Commando Wing (Infantry School), Belgaum), the most difficult course of the Army, Sandeep topped the course, earning an "Instructor Grading" and commendation.

Operation Black Tornado

On the night of 26 November 2008, several iconic buildings in South Mumbai were attacked. One of the buildings where hostage were held was the 100-year-old Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the team commander of 51 Special Action Group (51 SAG) deployed in the operation at the hotel to rescue the hostages. He entered the hotel in a group of 10 commandos and reached the sixth floor through the staircase. As the team descended the stairs, they suspected perpetrators on the third floor. A few women were held as hostages in a room which was locked from the inside. After breaking open the door, the round of fire by the perpetrators hit Commando Sunil Kumar Yadav in both legs, who was Sandeep's colleague.[18]

Sandeep engaged the perpetrators in a firefight. He arranged for Yadav's evacuation and gave chase to those he had engaged in the firefight who, meanwhile, escaped to another floor of the hotel.[19] In the encounter that followed, he was shot from the back, and he later succumbed to his injuries.[20][21][22]

His last words were, "Do not come up, I will handle them," according to NSG officials.[23]

Ashoka Chakra citation
Sandeep Unnikrishnan's mother receives the Ashok Chakra from president Pratibha Patil on 26 January 2009.

The official citation for the Ashoka Chakra Award reads:

IC-58660 MAJOR SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN BIHAR REGIMENT/51 SPECIAL ACTION GROUP (POSTHUMOUS)

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan led the commando operation launched on 27th November 2008 to flush out terrorists from Hotel Taj Mahal, Mumbai in which he rescued 14 hostages.
During the operation, his team came under intense hostile fire, in which one of his team members got grievously 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 the terrorists till his last breath.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan displayed most conspicuous bravery besides camaraderie and leadership of the highest order and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation.[24]

Funeral
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road in Yelahanka Newtown

At Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's funeral, mourners chanted "Sandeep Unnikrishnan Amar Rahe" ("May Sandeep Unnikrishnan('s name) remain eternal").[25] Thousands of people lined up outside his Bangalore house to pay their respects. His funeral was held with full military honours.[26][27]

The Mother Dairy Double Road in Bangalore, a 4.5 km road from Federal Mogul on Doddaballapur Road to MS Palya junction,within Yelahanka New Town, was renamed Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Road in his honour. A bust of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is installed on Ramamurthy Nagar Outer Ring Road junction in Bengaluru and is named in his honour. [28]

There is a bust of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan at the entrance of Indian Education Society on Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road, Mumbai to honour his sacrifice and inspire young students.

Biopic

Sony Pictures Entertainment has registered two titles with the producers’ association called Major and Major Sandeep in their endeavour to make a biopic on his life. "It is not just about the attack but is more of a biopic. The studio is in talks with the family of Major Sandeep to get the rights personal as well as work-related  and are keen to offer a tribute to the late soldier," says a trade source. "The story is also interesting as he was trying to rescue an injured comrade when he was shot and later, he succumbed to injuries. There are many layers in the film," says the source.[29]

It is reported that the title of the biopic will be Major and actor Adivi Sesh will be playing the titular role of Major Sandeep. The film will be produced by actor Mahesh Babu and is scheduled for release in 2021.[30] The principal photography of the film began in February 2020.[31]

See also

References
  1. http://www.oneindia.com/2008/11/29/maj-sandip-unnikrishnan-cremated-1227949427.html
  2. "2 NSG men killed, six others injured in Mumbai gunbattles". PTI. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  3. "11 security personnel to get Ashok Chakra". Retrieved 25 January 2009.
  4. "Army Major from Kerala dies in Mumbai encounter". WebIndia 123. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
  5. "Boy who had a crew cut in school". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 29 November 2008.
  6. "Bangalore boy's supreme sacrifice". Bangalore Mirror, India Times. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  7. "Maj Sandeep UnniKrishnan - A school remembers". Times of India. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  8. "A school remembers". TOI. Times of India. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  9. "Sandeep Unnikrishnan: A movie maniac". India Today. India Today. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  10. Mund, Prasenjit (30 November 2008). "NDA Buddies Remember Unni=The Times Of India". The Times Of India. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  11. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 13 May 2000. p. 625.
  12. "Major Unnikrishnan`s colleagues recall his qualities". Zee News. Retrieved 10 December 2008.
  13. "Major Unnikrishnan's colleagues recall his qualities". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 10 December 2008.
  14. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 8 November 2003. p. 1508.
  15. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)" (PDF). The Gazette of India. 29 October 2005. p. 2075.
  16. Verma, Kumod (29 November 2008). "Bihar Regiment fondly remembers Major Unnikrishnan". The Times Of India.
  17. Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!
  18. "A buddy called Major Unnikrishnan". Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  19. "sify.com". Archived from the original on 19 February 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  20. "Sandeep Unnikrishnan waged a valiant battle against terrorists". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2008.
  21. Nation bids adieu to ATS chief, NSG commando – India News – IBNLive
  22. "Maj Sandeep UnniKrishnan – A school remembers". The Times Of India. 29 November 2008.
  23. "Hero's last words — The Hindu". Chennai, India. The Hindu. 30 November 2008. Retrieved 30 November 2008.
  24. Ashoka Chakra awardees and their saga of gallantry, Press Information Bureau, Government of India, 25 January 2009, retrieved 14 September 2014
  25. "Hundreds pay tributes to slain NSG major in Bangalore — The Hindu". Chennai, India. The Hindu. 29 November 2008. Retrieved 3 December 2008.
  26. Ravindran, Nirmala (29 November 2008). "Nation bid tearful adieu to Karkare, Unnikrishnan". India Today. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  27. "Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead: The Day Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Died". topyaps.com. Retrieved 24 January 2015.
  28. "Teachers' Colony pays tribute, names park after Sandeep Unnikrishnan - Bangalore Mirror -". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  29. "26/11 Martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's story to turn into a film". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
  30. "Major Unnikrishnan's story now on big screen". Pune Mirror, India Times. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  31. "Shoot commences for Adivi Sesh's 'Major'". The News Minute. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
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