A demonstration was arranged by the College of Military Engineering for the visiting staff and student officers of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington On the 23rd September 1973. Gurnam Singh was tasked to the Charge of the demonstration of line Mine Clearing, an explosive device for the clearing of enemy mine fields. The task was assisted by party of seven sappers. Preparing the Charge Line Mine Clearing for firing, the tail initiator of the charge got prematurely actuated. He at once realized that the entire explosive was likely to blow up within ten seconds. When he realized the danger to the lives of the men under his command, he immediately ordered them to run to a safe distance but he disagreed of his personal safety. But unfortunately, he was not able to prevent the explosion within the few seconds, at his disposal. There was an explosion and Gurnam Singh was blown to pieces. Thus, he made supreme sacrifice in order to save the lives of the men under his command.
