You must have heard several tragic love stories; however, the one we are going to discuss today hits home. Neha Unnikrishnan and her husband, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, were married for a couple of years until Neha’s world shattered right in front of her eyes.
Her husband was a brave Indian Army officer, killed during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. While Neha prefers to keep a low profile and has successfully maintained a distance from the public eye, we have tried to gather some information about her life.
Neha Unnikrishnan Early Life
As discussed earlier, Neha is the widow of the Late Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was killed on 28 November 2008 while fighting the terrorists in Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. If we talk about her early life, it is believed that Neha was born in Kerala and raised in Bangalore.
However, there is no information regarding her birth date and year. Besides, the identities of her parents and siblings are also unknown to the world. According to some sources on the internet, it has come to our notice that Neha Unnikrishnan’s family has a Hindu background.
Moreover, she went to a local school from where she acquired her early education. After that, she joined a college and graduated with a degree.
Neha and Sandeep’s Love Story
Neha Unnikrishnan was born in Kerala. Her family moved to Bangalore, where she joined the Frank Anthony Public School. Moreover, this is where she met Sandeep, and the two started developing a strong bond.
Neha and Sandeep got married years after dating each other like Bunnie XO. But soon after the marriage, they began to face issues in their personal life. It was mainly because Sandeep’s first priority was to serve his country. Additionally, the couple did not have any children.
An Insight into Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan’s Life
Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband belonged to Kozhikode, Kerala. However, the family of three moved to Bangalore when Sandeep was very young. Moreover, his father, K. Unnikrishnan, was a retired ISRO officer, while his mother, Dhanalakshmi Unnikrishnan, was a housewife.
Sandeep was a student of The Frank Anthony Public School, Bangalore. His parents wanted him to pursue medicine; however, he was inspired by the naval forces and wished to join the navy. He has got one sister named “Sandhya.”
Fate had different plans for Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband, and he ended up getting selected for the National Defence Academy.
At the time of his death, Sandeep was serving as the training officer of the 51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards.
How Did Neha’s Husband Die?
In November 2008, several spots in Mumbai became the target of a well-conspired terrorist attack led by Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the Taj Hotel was also among them. Several people were trapped on the premises; therefore, it became essential for the army to rescue them.
To tackle the situation, commandos from the National Security Guards were appointed. Moreover, the operation was led by Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan, who was also responsible for making the required strategies to enter the hotel.
Neha Unnikrishnan’s husband, Sandeep, led his team with extreme bravery and valor. But not only that, he made sure to protect them as well. He walked in front of the commandos and was shot several times. Even in such a condition, Sandeep did not lose his calm and rescued nearly fourteen hostages.
Upon reaching the upper part of the hotel, Sandeep decided to take the matter into his own hands. He directed his team to stay put and stopped them from coming up. By this time, he was severely injured and covered with blood; thus, he ended up sacrificing his own life for the nation.
The Nation Honours the True Martyr
Sandeep’s name was written in golden letters in the history of India, and he is still remembered as a national hero who fought for his country till his last breath. His last rites were performed with military honors on 29 November.
In fact, it is reported that the weather in Bangalore had turned gloomy the same day, with clouds mourning the death of a young soldier.
After Sandeep’s death, the Mother Dairy Double Road in Bangalore was named after him. Moreover, his bust is also installed on one of the junctions in Bangalore, which is renamed after him.
India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, Ashok Chakra was given to Sandeep Unnikrishnan by the Government of India.
Her husband was a part of many high-profile army operations, including Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Parakram. Sandeep loved his country, and thus his contribution was honored with a biopic by the name of Major; it was released in 2022.
While his character was portrayed by Adivi Sesh, Neha, aka Isha’s role, is portrayed by Saiee Manjrekar. The film is a tribute to Neha Unnikrishan’s husband’s sacrifice and showcases a determined soldier who is ready to risk it all for his country.
What is Neha Unnikrishnan Doing Now?
The young soldier lived and died with dire courage. However, he left behind his mother, father, and wife, Neha Unnikrishnan. Neha is reported to be working as an architect; however, she has continued to maintain a low profile. Moreover, there isn’t much information regarding her on the internet.
Final Words
Neha Unnikrishnan was the wife of the brave Indian soldier Major Sandeep who lost his life while fighting a group of Pakistan-led terrorists in Mumbai’s 26/11 terror attacks. Not much is known about Neha’s life at the moment, as she prefers staying away from the public eye.
