The final words of a commander who chose to face four terrorists alone
In short: When the path to safety was blocked by gunfire, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan made a choice that defined his legacy. During the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he stepped into a corridor of fire to ensure others could escape, uttering a final command before facing down an entire cell single-handedly.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was a highly decorated Indian Army officer whose career was defined by elite training and rapid advancement. After graduating from the National Defence Academy in 1995 and commissioning into the Bihar Regiment, he distinguished himself during Operation Vijay in 1999. He notably led a team to establish a forward post under direct enemy fire on December 31, 1999. His technical proficiency was further cemented at the Infantry wing Commando School in Belgaum, where he topped the 'Ghatak course' twice, earning an "Instructor" grading.
In January 2007, Unnikrishnan joined the National Security Guard (NSG), India's premier counter-terrorism unit. He served as a training officer for the 51 Special Action Group before being deployed to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel during the November 2008 attacks. As team commander, he led 10 commandos through the hotel's staircases. During the operation, his team encountered heavy resistance; after rescuing hostages from the fifth and sixth floors, they faced a locked room on the fourth floor where terrorists engaged them with gunfire.
The climax of the operation occurred around midnight on November 27, 2008. After evacuating an injured commando, Unnikrishnan chose to pursue four escaping terrorists alone. His final words—"Don't come up, I will handle them"—were reported by NSG officials as he cornered the remaining militants in the hotel's Ballroom. On 26 January 2009, India's premier peacetime gallantry medal, the Ashoka Chakra, was granted to him after his death for outstanding courage and command.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Sandeep Unnikrishnan
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