Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

Lisa Roy

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

“Don't come upstairs, I will handle them” was the last words of a braveheart Kerala boy who laid down his life for the country fighting Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on that very fateful day of 28 November 2008. This is a story of the NSG commando, the Late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan.

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan; Image source- Pinterest

Major Sandeep who was described as athletic, selfless, generous, and composed by his school and NDA peers was born on March 15, 1977, in Calicut to retired ISRO Scientist K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanlaxmi Unnikrishnan. He grew up in Bangalore and went on to complete the NDA's 94th course and the IMA's 104th course. On the 12th of June 1999, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Indian Army's Bihar Regiment. On the 31st of December, 1999, he became a part of Operation Vijay and led a group of six men to establish a post 200 meters away from the enemy while under fire.

He was later promoted to Captain in 2003, followed by Major in 2005. From his childhood, he always wanted the uniform. His pure dedication and love for the uniform made him top the most difficult course of the Indian Army i.e, the Ghatak course at Commando Training School, Belgaum. He also received an instructor grade and a commendation for the same. He went on to Gulmarg's High Altitude Warfare School for further training.

On November 27th, the team decided to take the central staircase around midnight to find the terrorists and rescue the remaining hostages. Even though they would be exposed to enemy fire from all sides, they decided to continue. Terrorists ambushed them from the first floor as they charged, critically injuring Commando Sunil Kumar Jodha. Following his successful evacuation, the team continued to engage the terrorists. Even though they would be exposed to enemy fire from all sides if they did so, they decided to continue. But, as they charged, terrorists ambushed them from the first floor, critically injuring Commando Sunil Kumar Jodha. After successfully evacuating him, the team continued to engage the terrorists. As the terrorists fled to the next floor, Major Sandeep decided to pursue them alone.

He single-handedly cornered all four terrorists in a ballroom at the northern end of the hotel. He locked them inside the ballroom and fought until his last breath and round before making the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Because of his bravery and strategy, the NSG team was able to kill all four trapped terrorists.

He was just 31 years old when he gave his life to protect the citizens of this country and their dignity. We, the people of India, will be eternally grateful and indebted to such men who prioritize our lives and make the ultimate sacrifice when called upon. "Do not come up, I will handle them," he says at the end, demonstrating his bravery and valor. We will never be able to repay such a debt, but we can always honor and remember them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

During his service, he served in Gujarat (during the Gujarat riots in 2002), Rajasthan, Siachen Hyderabad, and Jammu and Kashmir. He was later chosen to join the National Security Guards and provided with the training. In January 2007, he was assigned as the training officer of the 51st Special Action Group.

On the fateful day of November 26, 2008, when ten Laskar-e-Taiba terrorists attacked various buildings in Mumbai, a team of 51 SAG led by Major Sandeep was dispatched to safely rescue the hostages from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. Major Sandeep led a team of ten commandos up the stairwell to rescue hostages from the hotel's sixth and fifth floors. They broke the door and encountered terrorists who opened fire on the team, injuring commando Sunil Kumar Yadav in both legs. Major Sandeep was able to evacuate him, but the terrorists fled the commando team using a grenade blast. In contrast, the team was unconcerned about their own safety and continued rescuing hostages for the next 15 hours. It was finally time to confront the terrorist and free the remaining hostages.