Sandeep, who passed out from Frank Anthony School in Bengaluru [Images] and was later commissioned in the Bihar Regiment in 1999, was among the brave armed forced personnel who laid down their lives in the strike against terrorists in Mumbai.

"The family has been inconsolable. Both his mother and sister continue to be shell-shocked", said S K Krishnan, a close family friend and a former colleague of Sandeep's father at ISRO. Sandeep's father Unnikrishnan had retired from the department of space at ISRO.

"The family had no idea that Sandeep was part of the operation in Mumbai. He had not informed his family about the operation owing to security reasons," he said.

"However, we did feel he could have been part of the operation as a large number of NSG contingent had been called in to flush out the terrorists and free the hostages," he said.

"The news was received when a personnel contacted us and television news confirmed our worst fears," he said.

Paying glowing tributes to Sandeep, he said Sandeep had always been brave right from his early days.

He always dreamt of being part of the armed forces. His patriotism was one that breathed inspiration. His entire philosophy in life revolved around service to the nation first and foremost.

"And he has just done just that," said an emotional Krishnan. "He was a son that any parent would love to have," he said, before breaking down into tears.