Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung VrC

Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung was born on 22 April 1966 in Nepane village, situated in the Parbat district of Nepal. Son of Shri M. B. Gurung and grew up in a region renowned for its long-standing martial tradition and deep association with the Gorkha regiments. From an early age, he was influenced by the values of discipline, courage, and selfless service that were integral to the ethos of his community. Inspired by this proud legacy and driven by a strong sense of duty towards his people and homeland, Rfn Sanjeev Gurung chose a life of service at a young age. His aspiration to serve as a soldier was shaped by the examples of valour and sacrifice that surrounded him while growing up in the hills of Nepal.

On 25 October 1984, he was recruited into the 3/4 Gorkha Rifles Battalion of the 4 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, one of the Indian Army’s most distinguished infantry regiments. Known for its fearless soldiers, uncompromising battlefield spirit, and an illustrious record of gallantry across numerous campaigns, the regiment provided the ideal environment for a young soldier of his resolve and character. Through training and service, Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung quickly imbibed the regiment’s core values of honour, bravery, and absolute loyalty to duty—qualities that would later define his conduct in combat and ultimately his supreme sacrifice.

Siachen Operation: 24/25 Sep 1987

During 1987, Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung was serving in his unit deployed on the Siachen Glacier under Operation Meghdoot, guarding one of the world’s most inhospitable and strategically sensitive battlefields. In June 1987, following a Pakistani misadventure in the Bilafond La sector, the Indian Army launched Operation Rajiv, successfully capturing the enemy-held Quaid Post. The post was subsequently renamed Bana Post in honour of Naib Subedar Bana Singh of 8 JAK LI. The loss of this dominant feature led the adversary to repeatedly attempt to regain the ground through sustained aggression. On 23 September 1987, the enemy launched a determined attack on Indian positions in the Bilafond La complex. The assault was effectively repulsed by Indian troops, inflicting heavy losses and forcing the attackers to withdraw. Undeterred by this failure, the adversary mounted a far more intense and coordinated assault on the night of 24–25 September 1987, preceded by heavy artillery and mortar shelling aimed at softening the defences. Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung and his platoon were manning a strategically vital post during this period. Despite the severe weather, altitude-induced fatigue, and relentless enemy fire, the defenders displayed exceptional resolve and successfully repelled the initial phase of the attack. However, at approximately 0215 hours, the enemy launched a renewed and more aggressive assault, attempting to scale the defences and overrun the position. A fierce close-quarter battle ensued. During this critical phase, Rifleman Gurung exhausted his ammunition while engaging the enemy. As he hurriedly refilled his magazines, he noticed two enemy soldiers who had managed to climb up and were advancing towards his position.

Demonstrating remarkable presence of mind and courage under fire, he picked up an empty jerrican lying nearby and hurled it at the attackers, momentarily disorienting them. Without hesitation, he then charged forward with his empty rifle and engaged the enemy in hand-to-hand combat. In this brutal encounter, he succeeded in killing one enemy soldier by striking him with the butt of his rifle. While engaged in this act of gallantry, the second enemy soldier fired at him from behind. Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung was grievously wounded and soon succumbed to his injuries. His fearless action halted the enemy’s advance at a decisive moment, broke their momentum, and played a crucial role in preventing the post from being overrun. Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung displayed exceptional bravery, indomitable spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, fighting far beyond the call of duty with complete disregard for his personal safety. By laying down his life in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, he made the Supreme Sacrifice at the age of 21 years in the service of the nation. In recognition of his outstanding gallantry and sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the "Vir Chakra".

The citation for the Vir Chakra awarded to him reads : 

On the 12th September, 1987, Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung, as a part of his platoon was inducted into an important post of the Bilafondla complex of the Siachin Glacier. On the night of 23rd- 24th September, 1987, the adversary launched a determined attack on this post preceeded by heavy artillery and mortar shelling. Rifleman Gurung and his comrades put in a determinded fight and beat back the adversary’s attack.

Again on the night of 24th-25th September, 1987, the adversary put in a determined attack on the post. Rifleman Gurung and his comrades put up a resolute fight and beat back the attack. At about 0215 hours the adversary put in a second attack on this post. As the fierce battle was continuing, at one stage, Rifleman Gurung finished his ammunition. While he was busy filling his magazines, he saw two adversary’s soldiers, who had managed to climb up, advancing towards him. Keeping his cool, Rifleman Gurung picked up an empty jerrican lying next to him and hurled it at the advancing adversary’s soldiers. As he saw the adversary’s soldiers faltering in their advance due to this, he charged on to them with his empty rifle and succeeded in killing one with his rifle butt. During this the other advarsary’s soldier shot him in the back and Rifleman Gurung was fatally injured and died soon after.His aggressiveness stopped the adversary in their tracks and broke their momentum.

Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung showed high gallantry in the face of the enemy beyond the call of duty with utter disregard to his personal safety and made the Supreme Sacrifice. Rifleman Sanjeev Gurung was posthumously awarded to “Vir Chakra”.