Sepoy Ilayraja Phailed from a village from Tamil Nadu, he joined Indian Army just after completing his initial schooling, he was recruited into 11thMahar Regiment with service number 4585664K. Whereas SepoyGawaiSumedh Waman hailed from Akola dist. of Maharashtra. He belonged from a very poor family, because of this he had to earn to complete his schooling, but just after completing that he wished to join Indian Army, and got recruited into 11th Mahar Regimentwith service number 4584321F. Both the brave soldiers of Indian Army, worked together for many years with their unit and later on they both went to 1 RR (Rashtriya Rifles) on deputation, where there primary and only target was to destroy the enemies of the country, and they did that with full dedication.
On 13 Aug 2017, two days before 70th Independence Day, the camp of 1RR got info of some terrorist were meeting their local leader in Shopian dist. After taking the inputs in consideration, a team was launched consisting of 1 RR along with the help of J&K police. Sepoy Ilayraja P and Sepoy GawaiSunedhboth were the part of the operation. After reaching the spot, area was cordoned. While the search was on going for the enemy, the terrorists did their biggest mistake of firing upon the security forces. And our forces also gave them befitting reply, and the gun fight went on for many hours. Heavy firing was on going badly. And the operation went fierce on night. Our every soldier fought very bravely and gave their enemy heavy damage, and in between the operation Sep Ilayraja and Sep Gawai very seriously injured along with three other soldiers. They were taken to 92 Base Hospital at Srinagar, but unfortunately, both succumbed to their injuries while their treatment was going on.
For their bravery and courage during an ongoing fierce encounter, both Sepoy Ilayraja P and Sepoy GawaiSuned Waman were awarded Sena Medal posthumously.
