Sandeep Unnikrishnan: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|mumbai attacks hero}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}

{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}

{{Indian patronymic|Sandeep|Unnikrishnan}}

| honorific_prefix = [[Major]]

| birth_place  = [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], India

| death_place  = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India

| placeofburial_label = Cremation<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oneindia.com/2008/11/29/maj-sandip-unnikrishnan-cremated-1227949427.html|title = Maj Sandip Unnikrishnan cremated|date = 29 November 2008}}</ref>

| unit          = [[51 Special Action Group|51 SAG, NSG]]<br/>[[Bihar Regiment|7 BIHAR]]

| rank          = [[File:Major of the Indian Army.svg|25px]][[Major]]

| awards        = [[File:Ashoka Chakra ribbon.svg|34px]] [[Ashoka Chakra Award|Ashoka Chakra]]

[[File:IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|34px]] [[Operation Parakram Medal]]

 

[[File:IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|34px]] [[Sena Medal|Special Service Medal]]

 

[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|34px]] [[Sainya Seva Medal]]

 

[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|34px]] [[High Altitude Service Medal]]

 

[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|34px]] [[9 Years Long Service Medal]]

| alma_mater    = [[The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore]]<br>[[National Defence Academy]]<br>[[Indian Military Academy]]<br>[[High Altitude Warfare School]]|

[[Major]] '''Sandeep Unnikrishnan''', [[Ashoka Chakra (military decoration)|AC]] (15 March 1977 – 28 November 2008) was an officer in the [[Indian Army]] serving in the elite [[51 Special Action Group]] of the [[National Security Guards]]. He was martyred in action during the [[November 2008 Mumbai attacks]].<ref name=pti1>{{cite news|publisher = PTI|title = 2 NSG men martyred, six others injured in Mumbai gunbattles|url = http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/FFB1157E6E7B9C4F6525750F004376C9?OpenDocument|date = 28 November 2008|access-date = 2008-11-28}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> He was consequently awarded the [[Ashoka Chakra Award|Ashoka Chakra]], India's highest peacetime gallantry award, on 26 January 2009 by the president [[Pratibha Patil]].<ref name="ashoka">{{cite news|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/11-security-personnel-to-get-ashok-chakra/83597-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203074058/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/11-security-personnel-to-get-ashok-chakra/83597-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-02-03|title=11 security personnel to get Ashok Chakra|access-date=2009-01-25}}</ref>

Sandeep Unnikrishnan came from a [[Malayali]] family residing in [[Bangalore]], where they had moved from [[Cheruvannur]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode District]] in the state of [[Kerala]].<ref name=webd>{{cite news|publisher = WebIndia 123|title = Army Major from Kerala dies in Mumbai encounter|url = http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20081128/1115900.html|date = 28 November 2008|access-date =28 November 2008}}</ref> He was the only son of retired [[ISRO]] officer K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081129/jsp/nation/story_10182139.jsp | location=Calcutta, India | work=The Telegraph | title=Boy who had a crew cut in school | date=2008-11-29}}</ref>

Sandeep spent 14 years at [[The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Bangalore boy's supreme sacrifice|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bangalore-boys-supreme-sacrifice/articleshow/22313876.cms|publisher=Bangalore Mirror, India Times|access-date=29 November 2008}}</ref> before graduating in 1995 in the [[Indian School Certificate|ISC]] Science stream.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maj Sandeep UnniKrishnan - A school remembers|url=https://www.timesofindia.com/city/bengaluru/Maj-Sandeep-UnniKrishnan-A-school-remembers/articleshow/3770767.cms|publisher=Times of India|access-date=29 November 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref name="TOI-SchoolRemembers">{{cite news |agency=Times of India |url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-29/bangalore/27943762_1_major-unnikrishnan-major-sandeep-c-browne |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112003/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-29/bangalore/27943762_1_major-unnikrishnan-major-sandeep-c-browne |url-status = dead |archive-date = 2012-10-22 |title=A school remembers |date=2008-11-29 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2008-11-29}}</ref> He was also a member of the school choir and enjoyed watching movies.<ref name="TOI-SchoolRemembers"/><ref name="IT-moviemaniac">{{cite news |agency=India Today|url = http://indiatoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21369&sectionid=4&issueid=82&Itemid=1 |title=Sandeep Unnikrishnan: A movie maniac |publisher=India Today |date=2008-11-30 |access-date=2008-11-30}}</ref><br/>Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was married to Neha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/thousands-take-first-last-look-at-martyr/cid/525187|title = Thousands take first & last look at martyr}}</ref>

==Army career==

Sandeep Unnikrishnan 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 holds a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree. His NDA friends remember him as "selfless", "generous" and "calm and composed".<ref name="TOI-NDABuddiesRemember">{{cite news |agency=The Times Of India |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-30/india/27910740_1_nsg-buddies-sandeep-unnikrishnan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022125802/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-30/india/27910740_1_nsg-buddies-sandeep-unnikrishnan |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-22 |title=NDA Buddies Remember Unni= |date=2008-11-30 |access-date=2008-11-30 |first1=Prasenjit |work=[[The Times of India]] |last1=Mund}}</ref>

In [[Indian Military Academy]] (IMA), [[Dehradun]], he was the part of 104th regular course. On 12th June 1999, he graduated from IMA and got commissioned as [[Lieutenant]] in the 7th Battalion of the [[Bihar Regiment]]<ref name="pti1" /> (Infantry) of Indian Army.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=625  |date=13 May 2000|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2000/213126.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> During [[Operation Vijay (1999)|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,<ref>{{cite news|title=Major Unnikrishnan's colleagues recall his qualities|url=https://zeenews.india.com/home/major-unnikrishnans-colleagues-recall-his-qualities_489857.html|publisher=Zee News|access-date=10 December 2008}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200812101678.htm | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=Major Unnikrishnan's colleagues recall his qualities | date=2008-12-10}}</ref>

Sandeep Unnikrishnan received a substantive promotion to captain on 12 June 2003,<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1508 |date=8 November 2003|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2003/W_45_2011_107.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> followed by promotion to major on 13 June 2005.<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=2075 |date=29 October 2005|url=http://egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2005/W_44_2012_126.pdf|publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> During the 'Ghatak course' (at the Infantry wing Commando School, Belguam), which is considered as the most difficult course of the indian Army, Sandeep topped the course twice earning an "Instructor grading" and Commendation.    

He was also trained in [[High Altitude Warfare School|High Altitude Warfare school]], [[Gulmarg]]. <ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-29/patna/27911835_1_major-unnikrishnan-nsg-commando-maj-unnikrishnan | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022112026/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-11-29/patna/27911835_1_major-unnikrishnan-nsg-commando-maj-unnikrishnan | url-status=dead | archive-date=2012-10-22 | first1=Kumod | last1=Verma | work=[[The Times of India]] | title=Bihar Regiment fondly remembers Major Unnikrishnan | date=2008-11-29}}</ref> After serving in different locations including [[Siachen Base Camp (India)|Siachen]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]], [[Gujarat]] (during [[2002 Gujarat riots|2002 Gujarat Riots]]), [[Hyderabad]] and [[Rajasthan]], he was selected to join the [[National Security Guards]]. On completion of training, he was assigned as the training officer of the [[51 Special Action Group]] (51 SAG) of NSG, on January 2007 and also participated in various operations of the NSG.<ref>[http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=102951 Mangalorean.Com- Serving Mangaloreans Around The World!<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Operation Black Tornado===

On the night of 26 November 2008, several iconic [[2008 Mumbai attacks|buildings in South Mumbai were attacked]]. One of the buildings where hostage were held was the 100-year-old [[Taj Mahal Palace & Tower|Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]]. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was the team commander of [[51 Special Action Group]] (51 SAG) deployed in the hotel to rescue the hostages. He entered the hotel with a group of 10 commandos and reached the sixth floor through the staircase. After evacuating hostages in the sixth and fifth floors, as the team descended the stairs, they suspected terrorists in a room on fourth floor, which was locked from the inside. As the commandos broke open the door, the round of fire by the terrorists hit Commando Sunil Kumar Yadav in both legs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14809318 |title=A buddy called Major Unnikrishnan<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219221952/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14809318 |archive-date=19 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Major Sandeep managed to save and evacuate Yadav, but terrorists disappeared after blasting a grenade inside the room.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14809318 |title=sify.com |access-date=1 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219221952/http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14809318 |archive-date=19 February 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Major Sandeep and his team continued evacuating hostages from the hotel, for around next 15 hours. On 27th November, around midnight Major Sandeep and his team decided to take the path of the central staircase of hotel to go up, which they knew was a big risk, as they were exposed from all sides of the hotel. But this was a risk they were willing to take, as it was the only way to locate the terrorists and to save more hostages who were trapped inside the hotel. As expected, when terrorists saw commandos coming up through the central staircase, they ambushed NSG team, from the first floor, in which Commando Sunil Kumar Jodha was grievously injured. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan immediately arranged for his evacuation and continued to engage terrorists in the firefight. He then decided to chase terrorists alone, as they were trying to escape to the next floor. In the encounter that followed, he managed to corner all four terrorists to the Ballroom in the northern end of Taj Mahal hotel, single handedly but sacrificed his own life in the course. His last words were, "Do not come up, I will handle them" according to the NSG officials. NSG commandos later eliminated all four terrorists trapped in the Ballroom and Wasabi restaurant of the Mumbai Taj hotel.<ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|title = Sandeep Unnikrishnan waged a valiant battle against terrorists|url = http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112959030900.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081202023219/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112959030900.htm|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 December 2008|date = 29 November 2008|access-date =29 November 2008|work = [[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081202101919/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/nation-bids-adieu-to-ats-chief-nsg-commando/79337-3.html Nation bids adieu to ATS chief, NSG commando – India News – IBNLive<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

====Ashoka Chakra citation====

[[File:Smt. Dhan Laxmi receiving Ashoka Chakra awarded to her son Shri Sandeep Unnikrishnan (Posthumous) from the President, Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, during the 60th Republic Day Parade-2009, in New Delhi on January 26, 2009.jpg|thumb|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:{{Quotation|<center>'''IC-58660 MAJOR SANDEEP UNNIKRISHNAN BIHAR REGIMENT/51 SPECIAL ACTION GROUP (POSTHUMOUS)'''</center>

At Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's funeral, mourners chanted "Sandeep Unnikrishnan Amar Rahe" ("May Sandeep Unnikrishnan('s name) remain eternal").<ref name="Hindu-Tributes">{{cite news |agency=The Hindu |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200811291431.htm |title=Hundreds pay tributes to slain NSG major in Bangalore&nbsp;— The Hindu |date=2008-11-29 |access-date=2008-12-03 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Thousands of people lined up outside his Bangalore house to pay their respects. His funeral was held with full military honours.<ref name="Funeral - India Today News">{{cite news|last1=Ravindran|first1=Nirmala|title=Nation bid tearful adieu to Karkare, Unnikrishnan|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Nation+bid+tearful+adieu+to+Karkare,+Unnikrishnan/1/21274.html|access-date=24 January 2015|publisher=India Today|date=29 Nov 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead: The Day Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan Died|url=http://topyaps.com/home-brought-warrior-dead-day-major-sandeep-unnikrishnan-died|website=topyaps.com|access-date=24 January 2015}}</ref>

The Mother Dairy Double Road in Bangalore, a 4.5&nbsp;km stretch 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.

<ref>{{cite web|title=Teachers' Colony pays tribute, names park after Sandeep Unnikrishnan - Bangalore Mirror -|url=http://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/Teachers-Colony-pays-tribute-names-park-after-Sandeep-Unnikrishnan/articleshow/50523731.cms|website=Bangalore Mirror|access-date=28 September 2017}}</ref>

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.

[[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] has registered two titles, ''Major'' and ''Major Sandeep'' with the producers’ association, 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 &nbsp;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.<ref>{{cite news|title=26/11 Martyr Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's story to turn into a film|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/300119/2611-martyr-major-sandeep-unnikrishnans-story-to-turn-into-a-film.html|publisher=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=30 January 2019}}</ref>

 

It is reported that the title of the biopic is ''[[Major (film)|Major]]'' and actor [[Adivi Sesh]] is playing the titular role of Major Sandeep. The film is being produced by actor [[Mahesh Babu]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Major Unnikrishnan's story now on big screen|url=https://punemirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/mahesh-babu-inks-deal-to-co-produce-movie-on-26/11-martyr-major-sandeep-unnikrishnan/articleshow/68188133.cms|publisher=Pune Mirror, India Times|access-date=28 February 2019}}</ref> The principal photography of the film began in February 2020,<ref name="The News Minute 2020">{{cite web | title=Shoot commences for Adivi Sesh's 'Major' | website=[[The News Minute]] | date=17 February 2020 | url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/shoot-commences-adivi-sesh-s-major-118379|access-date=2 September 2020}}</ref> and is slated to premiere on 11th February 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-11-04|title=Film on martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan, ‘Major’, will hit cinemas on February 11, 2022|url=https://webnewsobserver.com/2021/11/04/film-on-martyr-sandeep-unnikrishnan-major-will-hit-cinemas-on-february-11-2022/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-11-04|website=Web News Observer|language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==

* [[Havaldar Gajender Singh]]

* [[Gunjan Saxena]]

{{Reflist|2}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090301040945/http://www.sandeepunnikrishnan.org/ Official Website]