Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung was born on 22 November 1956 in Sidari village of Kaski district, Nepal. He joined the Indian Army on 22 November 1976 and was enrolled in 3/4 Gorkha Rifles of 4 Gorkha Rifles.
By 1987, Naik Gurung was serving in the Siachen Glacier sector, where his unit occupied a defensive position at the Bilafondla Complex. The area was subject to extremely difficult weather and terrain as well as frequent military confrontations.
On the night of 23 September 1987, Pakistani forces launched a determined attack on the post with heavy artillery support. During the fighting, the Section Commander became a casualty and Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung took command of the section.
When his section began running short of ammunition, he repeatedly crossed exposed ground under intense enemy fire to obtain ammunition from platoon headquarters. His leadership helped the section repel successive enemy attacks.
At approximately 0325 hours on 24 September, another major enemy assault brought the attackers close to the Indian position. Naik Gurung responded by leaving his trench and charging the enemy with grenades and rifle fire. After his ammunition was exhausted, he drew his khukri and continued the fight at close quarters.
He pursued the retreating attackers and killed three enemy soldiers in hand-to-hand combat before receiving a gunshot wound to the chest. He was mortally wounded during the engagement and subsequently died.
For his exceptional courage, leadership and devotion to duty during the defence of the Bilafondla Complex, Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra posthumously.