Opinion | Beyond the Border: Operation Drishti and the Indian Army’s Humanitarian Role in Kashmir

Operation Drishti is a reminder that the role of the Indian Army in Kashmir cannot be understood through the lens of security alone. Sometimes, its contribution is reflected not in the battles it fights, but in the eyesight it restores, the lives it saves and the hope it brings to people living in the most difficult terrains.

When I was a kid, we would often witness Army personnel patrolling our village. We would run after them to ask for chocolates, and I would particularly ask them for ‘Puri’, as I had a special liking for it. They would often ask us questions about our academics and ask us to introduce ourselves. Back then, as a child, I thought the Army was there primarily for security and patrolling. However, as I grew older and started reading about Kashmir’s history and the institutions that have played an important role in helping ordinary Kashmiris through various initiatives, I came to understand that the Indian Army in Kashmir has been going beyond its conventional role of maintaining security. When I began visiting border areas like Tangdhar, Keran, Machil and Gurez, I witnessed and heard first-hand accounts of how Army personnel in these areas have been at the forefront not only of ensuring security but also of humanitarian action. Among the many initiatives undertaken by the Indian Army to engage Kashmir’s youth positively, including Operation Sadbhavna, skill development programmes and computer education, Operation Drishti deserves particular attention.

Operation Drishti, a nationwide eye-care initiative of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), was launched in December 2024 with the objective of taking advanced ophthalmic treatment to people who often face geographical and financial barriers in accessing specialised healthcare. Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across different parts of the country, combining the medical expertise of military hospitals with the Army’s ability to reach remote and difficult terrains. The initiative has also demonstrated that the Armed Forces’ contribution to society extends well beyond their conventional security responsibilities. According to the Ministry of Defence’s press release dated September 25, 2026, the programme had screened over 1.5 lakh people and conducted more than 3,500 surgeries across ten locations. These figures underline the scale of a medical outreach programme that has brought specialised eye care to communities across diverse geographical regions of India.

The initiative’s recent Kashmir phase was particularly significant. According to the Ministry of Defence’s press release dated September 30, 2026, the 11th mega eye surgical camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, following two phases of surgical intervention at Tangdhar and Srinagar. Before the surgeries, medical teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps in remote and forward areas, including Tangdhar, Dawar, Machil, Uri, Baramulla, Bandipora, Khanabal and Kangan. Nearly 6,000 people were screened, and around 500 patients were identified as requiring surgical intervention. The specialist team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, subsequently performed 364 eye surgeries across the two locations. These included procedures for cataracts, glaucoma, pterygium and retinal ailments.

What made the Tangdhar camp particularly noteworthy was its location. Conducted on September 24 and 25, 2026, it was the first mega eye surgical camp of its kind to be held in an underground operation theatre along the Line of Control. In a shelling-prone border area, delivering advanced surgical care required not only medical expertise but also considerable logistical coordination. Specialist surgeons and equipment had to be brought across mountainous terrain, while local Army units helped patients travel from their villages, access treatment and receive postoperative care. The team performed 220 surgeries at Tangdhar, followed by another 144 at 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar on September 28 and 29. The Ministry of Defence reported that several patients with severely impaired vision experienced significant improvement, with some regaining clear vision as early as the following day.

The human impact of such initiatives becomes clearer when we look beyond the numbers. An earlier Ministry of Defence press release, issued on November 22, 2025, documented the experience of Rajkumari Devi, a 96-year-old beneficiary of an Operation Drishti camp at Command Hospital, Northern Command, Udhampur. Following a successful cataract procedure, she regained clear sight. The same camp also treated Surinder Singh, a 72-year-old resident of Poonch who had endured the trauma of shelling during Operation Sindoor and the loss of neighbours. After his sight was restored, he began helping other people affected by hardship access the specialised medical facilities. His experience illustrates how an intervention that begins with an individual patient’s treatment can also help other members of a community seek care.

The Kashmir phase of Operation Drishti, therefore, deserves attention not merely because of the number of people screened or the surgeries performed, but because of where and how that care was delivered. For residents of remote border villages, accessing specialised treatment can involve long journeys, financial strain and logistical difficulties. By bringing specialist doctors, advanced equipment and surgical facilities closer to these communities, the initiative has addressed some of these barriers. It has also demonstrated the role that military medical infrastructure can play in humanitarian outreach during peacetime. The successful completion of the Tangdhar and Srinagar camps offers a concrete example of the Indian Army and the Armed Forces Medical Services serving people through healthcare, alongside their responsibility for national security.

It amazes me to see how such initiatives have been made possible in places like Tangdhar and Machil. These areas require not only logistical support but also a strong will to deliver, given the geographical challenges they present. During the harsh winter months, these areas witness heavy snowfall and remain cut off from the rest of Kashmir for almost five months. During this period, several medical emergencies have been attended to by Indian Army personnel, who often step forward when reaching the nearest medical facility becomes difficult for the local population. I remember that two years ago, a photograph was widely circulated on social media showing Army personnel carrying a pregnant woman on a stretcher to a hospital in Keran after she developed labour pains during the peak of winter. Such incidents remind us that the Army’s role in these areas is not confined to guarding the borders or maintaining security. It also involves responding to humanitarian emergencies when geography and weather make ordinary access to healthcare difficult. Operation Drishti is another example of this wider role, bringing specialised medical care closer to people who might otherwise have to undertake long and difficult journeys to receive treatment. The Indian Army’s contribution to Kashmir, therefore, extends beyond its conventional security responsibilities. Over the years, its engagement with local communities through healthcare, education, skill development and other humanitarian initiatives has become an important part of its presence in Kashmiri society.

Operation Drishti is a reminder that the role of the Indian Army in Kashmir cannot be understood through the lens of security alone. Sometimes, its contribution is reflected not in the battles it fights, but in the eyesight it restores, the lives it saves and the hope it brings to people living in the most difficult terrains. For a society like ours, recognising these humanitarian efforts is equally important in understanding the many dimensions of the Army’s presence in Kashmir.

Israar Shahid is a political and a social commentator who can be reached at soulofkashmir1@gmail.com