Recipient of two Sena Medals and Bar, Colonel (retd) AB Gurung, breathed his last in Dehradun on September 11. He belonged to the second generation of army background and was a keen football player and a long distance runner.
Gurung was commissioned in 3/8 Gorkha Rifles in February 1963. During his stint in the army, he was known for his silent raid on ring contour Pakistan side in September 21-22, in 1964 when he was a young officer. The raid ended in just 50 minutes with 85 casualties on the Pakistani side and not a single one on the Indian side. Out of them 10 were killed by him in hand to hand combat with his Khukri.
He was awarded Sena Medal for his bravery. Gurung had also participated in Mirpur Operation on September 10-11, 1965. He received second Sena Medal for his bravery during Sunjoi Operation- second attack on September 3-4, 1965. He was instrumental in earning Sunjoi Battle Honour for his regiment 3/8 GR on September 6, 1965.
He was a sharp pistol and rifle shooter and was remembered by his friends and foes for his ability to write his own name by pistol fire. During his career, he enrolled about 1500 youth into the army ranks. He is survived with his wife Sunanda Gurung (77), two sons Colonel Yogesh Gurung and Colonel Mukesh Gurung.