Date:29/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/29/stories/2008112956530400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

He waged a valiant battle

Staff Reporter

Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan lost his life while saving an injured colleague

— Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Great loss: K. Unnikrishnan, father of Major Sandeep, addressing presspersons outside his residence in Bangalore on Friday.

BANGALORE: Being in the forefront of the National Security Guards operations at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan not only waged a valiant battle against the terrorists but also did his best to save his injured colleagues and in the bargain lost his life. He showed the real warrior in him before laying down his life.

Thirty-one-year-old Major Sandeep is the only son of retired ISRO officer K. Unnikrishnan, who is settled in Bangalore.

Though the family hails from Kerala, Major Sandeep was born and brought up in Bangalore.

Until Friday, he was relatively unknown in his area until his name was flashed on television channels and newspapers.

His father told presspersons: “I lost my son in Mumbai on Friday. Though I do not like to call him a martyr, I can proudly say that he has done something for this country.” He was informed of the death of his son by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (National Security Guards).

According to information reaching the family, “Major Sandeep was leading a team and during the operations two of his colleagues sustained bullet injuries. In a bid to save them Sandeep turned back. The bullets fired by the terrorists pierced him,” Mr. Unnikrishnan said.

“Sandeep was born on March 17, 1977 and had his early education at the Frank Anthony Public School near Ulsoor. He joined the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Bihar 7th Regiment in 1999. He was drafted to the NSG after his gallantry was recognised,” Kiran Srivasthav, a childhood friend of Major Sandeep told The Hindu.

Major Sandeep’s mother, Dhanalakshmi, collapsed on the road on Friday after hearing the news of her son’s death. Major Sandeep’s friends and relatives visited his house at Akash Vihar Layout on Friday and consoled his grief-stricken parents.

The body of Major Sandeep which is expected to arrive by a special flight from Mumbai on Friday night will be kept at his residence from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday to enable people to pay their respects.