Prem Bahadur Gurung

Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung was born on 22 Nov 1956 in the small village of Sidani, Kaski District in Nepal.

Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung was recruited into the 3rd Battalion of the 4th Gorkha Rifles on 22 November 1976.

During the 1987 Operation Rajiv, Siachen, Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung's unit 3/4 GR, was deployed in Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. His company was tasked with the defences of Bilafondla Complex. On the night of 23 September 1987, Pakistani troops attacked Bilafond La Complex, but were driven back. On the night of 24 September 1987, another massive attack was launched with heavy artillery. During the action, the post Commander was hit and Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung took over as Section Commander. After some time, his Section was running short on ammunition. Unmindful of the intense firing around him, he ran to the platoon headquarters twice to replenish his Section with ammunition. His section was ultimately successful in beating back the enemy attacks.

After some time, enemy troops launched a third attack. When they were just 50 yards from his post, seeing the grave situation and possibility of being overrun, Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung got out of his trench and charged them, throwing grenades and firing with his rifle. On encountering this fierce charge, the Pakistani troops panicked and took to their heels. Having exhausted his ammunition, Naik Gurung threw away his rifle and attacked them with his khukri, hacking three of the four fleeing soldiers. However, during the intense hand-to-hand fight, he was shot in the chest and later died.[3] Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his bravery.