Operation Drishti: Military Medical Services Restore Sight for 220 People in Tangdhar, Jammu and Kashmir

The 10th edition of the first mega eye surgery camp under 'Operation Drishti' was organized on September 24 and 25, 2026, in Tangdhar, near the Line of Control in the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. In this sensitive area, where shelling is a constant concern, surgeons from the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) restored the vision of 220 patients through successful surgeries conducted within two days.

These surgeries primarily focused on the treatment of cataracts. Additionally, complex retina-related procedures and minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries were successfully performed. The camp was led by Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) located in Delhi Cantonment. His team transported state-of-the-art phacoemulsification, vitreoretinal, and glaucoma equipment to the mountainous terrain. Patients from Khawarpora, Tangdar, Tad, Bagbella, Yangdar, and surrounding villages were screened for the camp, which was promoted through 'Radio Rooh-e-Karnah'. The Indian Army provided assistance at every stage, from the arrival of patients to their recovery.

During the camp, Chief of the Army Staff General Dheeraj Seth visited the site, interacted with patients, and distributed medicines and gifts. Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja, Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), also inspected the camp and praised the efforts of the surgeons and the local team.

Organized as part of a series of mega eye camps initiated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, more than 150,000 patients have been screened and over 3,500 surgeries have been performed across 10 cities so far. The 11th camp of this campaign will be held in Srinagar from September 27 to 29, 2026, with the formal closing ceremony to be conducted by Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, on September 30, 2026.