Fallen Star of Valor

During the siege of Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, lives were at stake and the only hope that was gleaming through the dark tunnel of terror was Operation Black Tornado!

Brave men don't die, they live in our hearts, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan AC; Image Source: Indiatimes

It was the morning of 27th November 2008; the very next day after the city of Mumbai was doomed with serial terror attacks. Things weren’t quite in control and MARCOS (marine commandos) had reached ground zero as an immediate effect of the news of terrorists making the hotel staff hostage, in Oberoi Trident and Taj Palace. The MARCOS equipped itself with the crucial information regarding, the exit and entry points, and then handed over the authority to decide and plan an assault over the terrorists to NSG (National Security Guard) 51 Special Action Group.

Hotel Oberoi Trident was clear as the terrorists succumbed to asphyxiation due to fire explosions. The sun was rising over the head and not much was known about the condition of the hostages and the gunmen in Taj Palace. Two commando groups of the elite counter-terrorism unit planned to rush into Taj Palace from above and below to restrict the movement of the gunmen, the mission was christened Operation Black Tornado.

The Black Cats rushed into the zone of action, to one by one evacuate the rooms. In the course of the evacuation, 14 people were rescued by the action team. Major Unnikrishnan was the team commander of this special action group, as he led the team of ten commandos deeper into the zone of possible encounters.

Commando Sunil was shot with 8 bullets, and he was taken to the shelter. Major Sandeep got shot on his right arm, as he lent a helping hand to the injured commando amidst the shower of indiscriminate bullets. Despite getting shot, he carried on with the mission and kept moving forward, his team recalls the last words by him, “do not come up, I will handle them!” After which he eventually sacrificed his life, without bringing any halt to the mission and its successful conduct.

Though the Taj Palace was now clear the loss of a brave soul on the ground was a loss no consolation could heal. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, gave a new meaning to patriotism in the times when it was being dragged into the controversies of religious partisan by the politicians. He was a young man of true nationalist ideals who always wanted to serve the country by joining the defence force.

A true nationalist and determined young man, he was an NDA (National Defence Academy) and IMA (Indian Military Academy) alumna, who was posted in the Bihar Regiment infantry’s seventh battalion as Lieutenant, after completion of his training.

Later, he also took part in Operation Vijay during the Kargil war. In 2002, he was promoted as Major and he served in various active areas like Siachin, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Hyderabad and Jammu Kashmir. After this he resolved to be a part of NSG and was soon, serving as an NSG commando.

High spirited defence personnel, Major Unnikrishnan’s untimely death after he succumbed to his injuries on 28th November 2008 during the operation of rescue, was conferred with Ashok Chakra posthumously for his courageous action. His selflessness and heroic achievement shall be remembered forever.