Commandos, youngsters remember Major Unnikrishnan on his b'day

New Delhi, Mar 15 (PTI) It was an unforgettable moment
for late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan's parents, who received
mementos, photographs, videos and news clips of their son on
the occasion of the NSG commando's first birth anniversary
after his death in the Mumbai carnage.

Maj Sandeep, who was posthumously awarded the Ashoka
Chakra for his bravery, was also remembered by his fellow
commandos and officers at the National Security Guards (NSG)
Headquarters in Manesar in Gurgaon which was the officer's
base till his last assignment -- 'Operation Black Tornado'.

Sandeep was born on March 15, 1977 at Calicut in Kerala.

Members of a social networking online group honouring the
"heroes" have planned an online chat with Unnikrishnan's
father during which over 1,600 people would salute the officer
and his family on his first birth anniversary after his
sacrifice.

"Representatives of the group met us today and presented
us with my son's photographs, videos, news clips and other
messages written for him," Sandeep's father K Unnikrishnan
told PTI over phone from Bangalore.

"I will also go online to chat with them," he said.

"I and my wife feel his (Sandeep's) presence by this
wonderful gesture of young people who are of my son's age,"
Unnikrishnan said.

"We will celebrate the day by giving gratitude to
Sandeep's parents. The life and deeds of Major Unnikrishnan
holds a lot of importance for every Indian. It would be the
first birthday for his family when he is not around. We want
the family to feel honoured," said Tarannum Ishaq Ali 'Tara',
the 'Heroes' group moderator.

Our members based in Bangalore visited Maj Sandeep's
parents and presented them with posters, letters, cards,
congratulatory messages that we have received since the Mumbai
attacks last year till now from over 1,000 people from across
the country and world, as a token of love and respect for the
entire family, Tara said.

At the NSG Headquarters at Manesar, the commandos fondly
remember their "best buddy".

"Sandeep was the best buddy amongst us. We will miss him
on his birthday. Some of our officers here will call the
family to convey our feelings about our brave friend to his
parents," said an NSG officer from the 51 Special Action
Group, to which Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan belonged.

Maj Sandeep laid down his life during 'Operation Black
Tornado' at the Taj hotel in Mumbai on November 28 last year
when he was caught in a volley of bullets fired by terrorists
holed up inside the building.

"Do not come up, I will handle them," were reportedly
Maj Sandeep's last words to his men during the operation to
flush out the terrorist from the building. PTI NES
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