We Salute u Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan

BANGALORE: Like any parents with a single child, the Unnikrishnans too were against their only son joining the defence forces. However, Major Sandeep had made up his mind while in Class VIII itself.

Major Sandeep was killed on Thursday evening, when engaged in an the operation to clear terrorists holed up in the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai.

Back home in Bangalore, gloom loomed over Unnikrishnan's house near Yelahanka. His father, a retired ISRO employee, spoke twice to the media, his voice heavy with grief. But other family members were not forthcoming. The NSG DG confirmed Sandeep's death around 11.30 am.

It was a gruelling wait for the family ' the body was scheduled to arrive at 5.30 pm, but it was put off to 9.30 pm. The body arrived at the Air Force base at Yelahanka and was taken to the Command Hospital. The last rites will be performed on Saturday, with military honours.

Born on March 15, 1977, joining the Services was a childhood dream for Sandeep. Even as a Class VIII student at the Frank Anthony Public School, his parents could sense the determination in the boy. He joined the 7th Bihar Regiment on June 12, 1999, where he underwent rigorous training in counter-insurgency operations. He joined the NSG on January 20, 2007, and became team commander of 51 SDG.

On Thursday evening, Sandeep led the operation in the Taj, engaging himself in clearing the terrorists. When one of the NSG commandos was injured, Sandeep organised his evacuation and noticed one of the terrorists moving to the next floor through a staircase. Sandeep followed him and engaged the terrorist in a gunbattle, till the others joined him. By that time, he was seriously injured and succumbed to his injuries.

His passion for working in the defence forces took a toll on his personal life too. Sandeep had married his childhood friend and classmate Neha, but their relationship was strained.