Sepoy Ilayraja P was born to Sri Periaswamy and Smt Meenakshi and belonged to Kandani village in the Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu. He joined the army in the year 2012 and was recruited into the Mahar Regiment. After serving for a couple of years with his parent unit, Sepoy Ilayraja was later deputed to serve with 1 Rashtriya Rifles battalion deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.
| Service Number | 4585664 K |
| Place of Birth | Shivagangai, Tamil Nadu |
| Rank | Sepoy |
| Unit | 1 RR/ 19 Mahar |
| Regiment | Mahar Regiment |
| Award | Sena Medal |
| Date of Martyrdom | 13th August 2017 |
On 13th August 2017, the security forces received information from intelligence sources that 5 to 6 hardcore militants were meeting the top commander of Hizbul Mujahideen in Awneera village in the Zainapora area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. A joint team comprising elements of 1 RR, and J&K police was formed. The team reached the suspected area and commenced the search and cordon operation. Whilst the search operation was underway the terrorists fired at the troops from their hideout triggering a gun battle which continued for several hours. However, during the exchange of fire, Sepoy Ilayraja got severely injured along with five more soldiers and was evacuated to nearby 92 Base Hospital at Srinagar. But Sepoy Ilayraja later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Sepoy Ilayraja was given the gallantry award, ‘Sena Medal’ posthumously for his courage, devotion to duty, and supreme sacrifice.
