Arshid Rasool
In the remote and mountainous areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the relationship between the Indian Army and local communities extends beyond the responsibilities of security and protecting the nation’s borders. It is also reflected through medical assistance, humanitarian service and community welfare. Operation Drishti 2026, organised by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, is an important example of this humanitarian commitment. The initiative aims to bring specialised eye-care services to people living in remote parts of the Kashmir Valley and provide treatment to patients suffering from cataracts.
For many residents of the mountainous and border areas of Kashmir, access to advanced medical services can be challenging. Elderly patients, in particular, often face difficulties travelling long distances for medical examinations and surgery. Poor vision caused by cataracts can affect their daily activities, mobility and independence. In this context, initiatives such as Operation Drishti play an important role in bringing healthcare closer to communities and ensuring timely treatment. Operation Drishti 2026 is scheduled to be conducted from 24 September to 30 Sep 2026. According to the programme details, 400 patients identified through screening camps across the Kashmir Valley are being provided advanced cataract surgery. Two major medical locations have been designated for the campaign—Tangdhar in Kupwara and 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, located at Badami Bagh Cantonment.
At Tangdhar, 200 identified patients are scheduled to receive surgical treatment, while another 200 patients are being treated at 92 Base Hospital. This arrangement has been designed to reduce travel-related difficulties for patients from remote areas and make specialised medical services more accessible. For elderly residents of border areas and families with limited resources, receiving treatment closer to home can be particularly significant. Operation Drishti 2026 builds upon the earlier advanced surgical eye camp organised at Command Hospital, Northern Command, Udhampur, in November 2025. During that campaign, more than 2,000 people were screened and over 400 surgeries were performed. These included treatments for cataracts, glaucoma and retinal ailments. The beneficiaries included serving personnel, their dependents, Veer Naris and civilians from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The initiative highlighted the value of coordinated military medical services in reaching people across the region.
The humanitarian role of the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir is not limited to medical campaigns. Through various civic welfare, educational, sports and community assistance activities, the Chinar Corps continues to maintain engagement with local communities. Operation Sadbhavana has traditionally provided a framework for several such initiatives, including education, infrastructure development, skill development and other welfare activities. Operation Drishti adds an important healthcare dimension to this wider humanitarian engagement. The success of any eye-care campaign depends not only on surgery but also on proper patient screening, medical examination, postoperative care and regular follow-up. Ensuring that beneficiaries receive appropriate medical guidance after treatment is essential for maintaining the benefits of restored vision. Awareness about eye health and timely medical consultation can further help people address vision-related problems.
The significance of Operation Drishti 2026 in Jammu and Kashmir lies in its effort to bring specialised medical services to people who face geographical and transportation-related challenges. By providing treatment at Tangdhar and 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, the campaign seeks to restore vision while contributing to greater confidence and independence among patients and their families. Restoring sight is a deeply meaningful experience for every individual. When an elderly person is able to see family members clearly and carry out daily activities with greater independence, the benefits extend to the entire family. In the challenging terrain of Kashmir, Operation Drishti 2026 stands as a meaningful initiative focused on medical service, humanitarian care and the welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
