Brings Light Back to Lives in J&K’s Conflict-Scarred Heartland
Udhampur, Nov 22 : The Indian Army has provided life-changing vision-restoring surgeries to hundreds of civilians in the remote border regions of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to those affected by the aftermath of regional conflict.
Army Spokesperson in a statement issued to The Web Story/The Varmul Post said, the Advanced Surgical Eye Camp, held at the Command Hospital Northern Command in Udhampur, successfully screened 1,500 individuals, including serving personnel, their dependents, Veer Naris (war widows), and local civilians. For many, the camp was an escape from a world slowly dimmed by cataracts and other eye ailments.
The mission was launched following a directive from the Honourable Defence Minister, Shri Rajnath Singh, in response to a request from the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. The Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, was tasked with its immediate execution in the Udhampur operational area, with oversight from Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Army Commander of Northern Command.
Under the leadership of Maj Gen Sanjay Sharma, Commandant of Command Hospital Udhampur, a comprehensive screening process identified patients from distant and often inaccessible areas such as Poonch, Rajouri, Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban. The camp’s success was driven by the use of cutting-edge ophthalmological equipment, enabling sophisticated cataract, retina, and vitreous surgeries.
The camp was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, a renowned ophthalmologist and the most highly decorated officer of the Army Medical Corps. Brigadier Mishra and his specialized team from the Army Hospital (Research & Referral) performed over 400 intricate surgeries for conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal ailments.
The initiative delivered profound personal victories. Among the beneficiaries was 72-year-old Surinder Singh from Poonch, who had been blind for three years. Having witnessed the loss of neighbours during a recent period of conflict, his restored sight has allowed him to become a community advocate, mobilizing others to seek help. Similarly, 56-year-old Abdullah Shafeeq, a retired soldier from Mendhar, played a pivotal role in facilitating care for those impacted by the conflict.
Perhaps the most poignant story was that of 96-year-old Rajkumari Devi, for whom the surgery meant the precious gift of clear sight in her final years.
This medical mission is part of the Indian Army’s continued commitment to the welfare of citizens in Jammu and Kashmir under ‘Operation Sadbhavna.’ The effort demonstrated immense logistical perseverance, with teams transporting delicate surgical equipment across thousands of kilometers and often converting basic community halls into sterile operating theatres to reach those in need reads the statement.
