Gurung joined the then Royal Nepalese Army in 1971, and studied at the Indian Military Academy before receiving his commission. He later studied at the Command and General Staff College in the United States, and the National Defense University in China, as well as taking a degree from Tribhuvan University.
During his career, he commanded an independent infantry company and battalion before two stints at brigade command. At divisional level, he commanded forces during counter-insurgency operations in western Nepal. Politically, he has been the Nepalese military attaché in the United Kingdom and France, and served as a staff officer with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon peace-keeping force in Lebanon.
He became acting Chief of the Army Staff after General Rookmangud Katwal left office in the middle of 2009, and was formally appointed as his successor on September 9, 2009.
He retired on September 9, 2012.
