Sanjay Gurung

Biography

Sepoy Sanjay Gurung hailed from the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. After completing his school education, he joined the Indian Army and was recruited into the 2nd Battalion of the Naga Regiment (2 Naga), one of the army's youngest regiments, raised on 11 February 1985 at Haldwani with the motto "Parakramo vijayate" (Valour triumphs). During July 1999, 2 Naga was deployed in the Drass sector of Jammu & Kashmir along the Line of Control as part of Operation Vijay. After the capture of Tiger Hill on 5 July 1999, the next major objective was Point 4875, a feature dominating the national highway. The attack was planned in two phases, with 2 Naga tasked to capture 'Twin Bumps' by first light of 7 July. On the night of 5/6 July, Sepoy Sanjay Gurung and his comrades launched a fierce assault on the enemy positions. Despite stiff opposition, they made steady progress and captured the objective as planned by 7 July, enabling raids on enemy mortar positions and subsequent attacks on Rocky Knob. During the battle, Sepoy Sanjay Gurung was seriously injured and later succumbed to his wounds, laying down his life in the line of duty.