Yediyurappa pays tributes to Major Unnikrishnan
29 Nov 2008, 1750 Hrs

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Bangalore, Nov 29 Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa on Saturday paid homage to Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a martyred commando of the National Security Guard (NSG) who died during the gun battle with the militants in the Taj hotel.

The 31-year-old commando fell to multiple bullet injuries on Friday.

The NSG commandos completed operations on Saturday to dislodge Islamist militants at Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel, officials said, ending three days of terror attacks that have killed more than 150 people.

"It's a sad day for us in the state to see our brave army officer dead. I am deeply moved by the supreme sacrifice made by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan of NSG. He is highly respected officer in the army who laid down his life in the service to the nation. Major Uniikrishnan has saved lives of many people while flushing out terrorists in Taj Hotelumbai including a Member of Parliament," Yediyurappa said.

Major Unnikrishnan was the only son of a retired Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) official K. Unnikrishnan. He was commissioned in the seventh Bihar Regiment of the Indian Army in 1999. He was deputed to the NSG in 2007.

The 31-year-old officer was leading a team of NSG commandos in the Taj operation and was arranging for the evacuation of his men and chased the terrorists to another floor of the huge Taj Mahal hotel, continuously engaging them in battle.

In his mission, Major Unnikrishnan eventually fell to the bullets of the terrorists.

The attack in Mumbai is one of the biggest in the history of the country, where a group of men armed with assault rifles and grenades -- at least some of whom arrived by sea -- had fanned out across Mumbai on Wednesday night to attack sites popular with tourists and businessmen, including the city's top two luxury hotels. (ANI)