More than six years have passed since one of India’s most
shocking terrorist sieges happened. On November 26, 2008, an NSG commando was
one among the several others who laid their life in order to save our country’s
citizens.
"Do not come up, I will handle them".
If you do not know, these were the last words of Major
Sandeep Unnikrishnan before he was taken down by an ambushed terrorist at the
Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai. The images of the spot where he was killed still
haunt us. If you are wondering why I wrote this, this is the day he was born in
1977.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan belonged to the elite Army force –
the National Security Guards. You cannot see these people at work unless there
are terrible situations like these. These people are the best soldiers in the
country and are heavily trained for situations like this. The way Major Sandeep
Unnikrishnan died is pretty complex. Though the NSG deduced his final steps, the
reason this man is remembered is because he sported the best example of
leadership.
The hotel lobby,
where the terrorists were hiding was dark. Pitch dark. Due to the fire, the
electrical system was burnt and the whole area was wet. When they tried to
enter the lobby, the terrorists backfired. One of the NSG guards was injured
badly. Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan ordered the others to take him away and give
him medical aid. Before they moved, he went all alone by himself to handle the
terrorists.
He died. But this gave a breakthrough to other NSG guards in
the mission. They discovered the moves of the terrorists, and took them all
down. The last words Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan spoke are now a part of the Indian
Army’s records. They are an inspiration to many. Though our political leaders
have forgotten the meaning of leadership these days, men like Major Sandeep
Unnikrishnan who strive to protect them and the country teach them a lesson,
which they have no interest in learning.
Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan was presented with the Ashoka
Chakra, the highest award for bravery in India. But this man left something
more that. They were his foot prints on the sands of time.
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