Biography of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Early Life:
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was born on 9th November 1977 in Bangalore, India. He was the only son of A.S. Unnikrishnan, a former Indian Army officer and his wife, Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan. He was brought up in the Indian Army environment which instilled in him the core values of patriotism and dedication to the nation. Sandeep was an extremely bright student from an early age and was an avid reader of books on military history and warfare.
Education:
Sandeep completed his schooling at the Frank Anthony Public School in Bangalore. He later pursued a B.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering from the prestigious National Institute of Technology in Calicut. While in college, he also joined the National Cadet Corps and was part of the Indian Army’s Officer Training Academy.
Military Career:
After completing his B.Tech, Sandeep joined the Indian Army in 2000, and was commissioned as a lieutenant in the prestigious 7th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces). During the Kargil War, he was part of a team which was deployed in the Batalik sector of the LoC for reconnaissance and search and rescue operations. He was later promoted to the rank of Major in 2004.
The 2008 Mumbai Attacks:
Sandeep was a part of the Indian military’s elite National Security Guards (NSG) and was deployed as part of the operations to combat the terror attacks in Mumbai on 26th November 2008. On the night of 28th November 2008, he led a team of 9 NSG commandos to rescue hostages from the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. During the operation, he was shot and killed in the line of duty, while leading his men. He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, for his selfless devotion to duty and exemplary courage.
Legacy:
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is remembered as a hero who sacrificed his life for the nation and its people. He is an inspiration to millions of young Indians who aspire to serve their country. He is also remembered for his courage, valour and patriotism which are a testament to the spirit of the Indian Army. His legacy continues to live on in the hearts and minds of the people of India.
