A brave Indian Army officer who sacrificed his life during the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, known for his courage and selflessness in saving numerous lives.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan is remembered as a brave and selfless officer of the Indian Army who laid down his life while fighting terrorists during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He was posthumously awarded the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, on 26 January 2009.
Born on 15 March 1977, Major Unnikrishnan came from a Malayali Nair family residing in Bangalore. His parents, K. Unnikrishnan and Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan, were both from Kozhikode, Kerala. He was the only son of his parents and had a dream to join the armed forces from childhood.
Major Unnikrishnan attended The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore, and graduated in 1995 in the ISC Science stream. He then joined the National Defence Academy, Pune, Maharashtra, where he was part of the Oscar Squadron and graduated from the 94th Course NDA.
Major Unnikrishnan was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 7th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment Infantry of Indian Army on 12 June 1999. During Operation Vijay in July 1999, he showed exemplary courage in the face of heavy artillery firing and small arms fire by Pakistan troops.
He led a team of six soldiers and established a post 200 metres from the opposing side, despite being under direct observation and fire, on the evening of 31 December 1999. For this bravery, he received a substantive promotion to Captain on 12 June 2003, followed by promotion to the rank of Major on 13 June 2005.
Major Unnikrishnan was also trained at the High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg, and was an instructor at the Ghatak course at the Infantry wing Commando School, Belgaum, where he topped the course twice, earning an Instructor grading and a Commendation.
On 26 November 2008, Major Unnikrishnan was part of the 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guard, which was deployed to combat the terrorist attack at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. During the operation, he led his team from the front and engaged the terrorists, but was fatally injured in the process.
Despite being grievously injured, Major Unnikrishnan continued to fight and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, but not before ensuring the safety of his team and innocent civilians.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's bravery and selflessness will always be remembered and cherished by the people of India. His sacrifice will continue to inspire generations to come.
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