Ilayaraja P, SM

Biography

Sepoy Ilayaraja P hailed from Kandani village in the Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu. The son of Shri Periaswamy and Smt Meenakshi, he joined the Army in 2012 and was recruited into the Mahar Regiment, a unit renowned for its gallant soldiers and numerous battle honours. He served for a couple of years with his parent unit before being deputed to the 1 Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in Jammu & Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations. On 13 August 2017, security forces received intelligence that five to six hardcore militants were meeting a top commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen at Awneera village in the Zainapora area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. After analysing the inputs, the forces decided to launch a joint operation to neutralise the terrorists. A joint team comprising elements of 1 RR and the Jammu & Kashmir Police swung into action that afternoon, reaching the suspected area and commencing a cordon-and-search operation. While the search was underway, the terrorists opened fire from their hideout, triggering a gun battle that continued for several hours. The assault team pressed on in a well-coordinated manner, plugging all possible escape routes. As the terrorists were heavily armed and were exploiting the cover of darkness, the exchange of fire continued late into the night. During the fierce engagement, Sepoy Ilayaraja was severely injured along with five other soldiers and was evacuated to the 92 Base Hospital at Srinagar, where he later succumbed to his wounds. For his courage, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice, Sepoy Ilayaraja was awarded the Sena Medal.