Havildar Giris Gurung KC

During May 2017, Havildar Giris Gurung’s unit, 4/1 Gorkha Rifles, was deployed in the Kupwara district of Jammu & Kashmir, a highly sensitive sector along the Line of Control (LoC). The unit was tasked with manning forward posts in the Naugam sector of Handwara, an area known for frequent infiltration attempts due to its dense forests and rugged terrain. Maintaining constant vigilance in such conditions was critical to prevent enemy ingress. On the night of 20 May 2017, militants attempted to infiltrate into the unit’s Area of Responsibility. Displaying alertness and battlefield acumen, Hav Giris Gurung and his team detected suspicious movement along the infiltration route. Acting swiftly, they moved to intercept the infiltrators, leading to a fierce and prolonged gun battle. The militants were heavily armed and exploited the thick jungle cover and difficult terrain to their advantage. Undeterred, Hav Gurung and his comrades held their ground, engaging the enemy with determination and tactical precision. The intense firefight continued for nearly 36 hours, reflecting the grit and endurance of the soldiers involved.

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In the face of sustained enemy fire, Hav Gurung led from the front, motivating his team and ensuring that the infiltrators were neutralized. In the course of the operation, the troops successfully eliminated four militants, thereby foiling the infiltration attempt and safeguarding the region. However, during this prolonged engagement, Hav Giris Gurung, along with his fellow soldiers Havildar Damar Bahadur and Rifleman Rabin Sharma, sustained grievous injuries. Despite the best medical efforts, they later succumbed to their injuries, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Havildar Giris Gurung’s actions in the face of grave danger exemplified exceptional courage, leadership, and devotion to duty. For his indomitable bravery and supreme sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Havildar Giris Gurung is survived by his wife Smt Panch Maya Gurung, and two children.

The Citation for Kirti Chakra awarded to him reads :

In May 2017, Havildar Giris Gurung was commanding a search team deployed in Kupwara District of Jammu and Kashmir. While he led the search in dense vegetation, a militant fired at him and he was hit on his thigh. With utter disregard to his personal safety, he moved to a flank and assaulted the militant's location thereby eliminating the militant with an accurate burst from his AK-47. Thereon, he identified the location of another militant who was firing towards his team. He lobbed a grenade in that direction and displaying supreme bravery charged at the hidden militant and fired at him thereby eliminating him at close quarters, later succumbed to his injuries. Havildar Giris Gurung made the supreme sacrifice on the line of duty.