Nation pays tribute to martyrs
Sandeep Unnikrishnan
Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a 31-year-old National Security Guard (NSG) commando, laid down his life fighting the terrorists in Mumbai on Friday. His uncle’s home at Beypore in Kozhikode district was in a sombre mood as the news of his demise hit them.
Sandeep, who used to go to school and junior college with a perfect Army crew cut, didn’t surprise anyone when he was selected to join the NDA. Everyone knew that he had it in him. His teachers used to describe him as an ‘extraordinary child’, who had always dreamt of joining the Army right from standard three.
Considering Sandeep's years of schooling at Frank Anthony Public School, and his interests and passions, it can be said that he was an ‘all-rounder’, who excelled academically and also in sports. "He was an incredible sportsman. He held various records in sports," said his school principal going down the memory lane.
Major Unnikrishnan was on deputation to the NSG for the past 18 months. He was with the Black Cat commando force for the last 2 years. An officer of the Bihar Regiment, he was commissioned into the Indian Army in June 1999.
He had joined the NSG on deputation in January 2007, after having served two tenures with his battalion in counter insurgency and counter terrorism roles.
The braveheart hailed from Bangalore where his father works for the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Unni had always been a big foodie. He loved non-vegetarian food and made sure that he gets his meat twice a day. Sandeep, who had also been a big movie buff, used to call himself a total movie maniac.
Remembered for being high on principles, he was strictly averse to hypocrisy, sycophancy, apathy and lack of compassion.
In spite of being such an asset to the national security, the modest Unni always felt that his job was a regular one. But what he didn’t know was the fact that this so called ‘regular’ job will end up making him a national hero.
Other martyrs
Two Indian Police Service (IPS) officers - additional police commissioners Ashok Kamte and Sadanand Date - were killed in separate gun battles with terrorists following a series of attacks in India 's financial capital, the officials said.
vMumbai Police 'encounter specialist' Vijay Salaskar were also shot dead in another gun battle.
In all 14 police personnel were gunned down.
These are indispensable losses as one can’t replace them overnight or muster the art of fighting modern day terror in one day.
Why there is lackadaisical attitude on the part of the whole political class who seem not to take any lesson from the losses of such cops or loss of countless civilians.
Unless the government comes up with any strong counter measure to tackle terrorism by keeping themselves above the vote-bank and appeasement politics, the sacrifices of Karakare, Salaskar or MC Sharma and countless brave souls would surely go in vain.
| 
