Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung

Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung hailed from the picturesque East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya, a region renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and proud martial traditions. Nestled among rolling green hills and mist-covered valleys, this land has long produced brave soldiers who have served with distinction in India’s armed forces. Growing up in such an environment, Nb Sub Shyam was deeply inspired by stories of courage and sacrifice passed down through generations in his community. These accounts of honour and selfless service instilled in him a profound sense of duty and patriotism from an early age. Determined to follow in the footsteps of those who had dedicated their lives to the nation, he set his sights on a military career.

After completing his schooling, he joined the Indian Army and was recruited into the 33 Assam Rifles battalion, part of the storied Assam Rifles—the oldest paramilitary force in India. Headquartered in Shillong, the Assam Rifles is celebrated for its operational excellence, its distinguished legacy of protecting India’s borders, and its pivotal role in maintaining internal security across some of the country’s most difficult and strategically sensitive regions. Within this elite force, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung exemplified discipline, dedication, and courage—qualities that defined both his service and the proud traditions of the Assam Rifles.

Bishnupur Ambush (Manipur): 19 Sep 2025

In September 2025, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung’s unit, the 33 Assam Rifles, was deployed in Manipur—a region that had recently witnessed a sharp surge in militant activity. Since the beginning of the year, there had been a significant escalation in cross-border insurgency and smuggling operations along the 1,643-km-long, largely unfenced border between Manipur and Myanmar. Recognizing the growing threat to regional stability, the Indian Army and paramilitary forces intensified their coordinated counter-insurgency operations, with the 33 Assam Rifles playing a crucial role in maintaining security and order in the volatile area. As part of these efforts, routine troop movements were essential to ensure logistical support, rotation, and operational readiness across various company operating bases. On 19 September 2025, a column of 33 Assam Rifles troops was scheduled to move between its Patsoi Company Operating Base and the Nambol Company Operating Base in Bishnupur district. This route, which passed through the Imphal–Dimapur National Highway (NH-2) near Nambol Sabal Leikai—approximately 8 km from Imphal airport—was considered a denotified area, generally regarded as carrying minimal risk compared to active conflict zones.

At around 5:40 p.m., when the truck carrying troops, returning from a flood-relief mission, was making its way along NH-2 toward Nambol, it was suddenly struck by an ambush from armed militants. The attackers unleashed indiscriminate fire, turning what was thought to be a secure stretch of road into a scene of intense combat. The encounter underscored the ever-present risks and unpredictability faced by our armed forces. Amidst the chaos, Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap fought with courage, displaying steadfast bravery in the face of grave danger. Both were mortally wounded, yet their determination never wavered—they laid down their lives defending their comrades and fulfilling their mission with unwavering resolve.

Naib Subedar Shyam Gurung, a valiant and devoted Junior Commissioned Officer, epitomized the finest traditions of the Assam Rifles and the Indian Armed Forces.