Operation Drishti: Indian Army to Hold Mega Cataract Surgery Camp in Tangdhar and Srinagar
Srinagar, September 22: The Indian Army, under the aegis of Chinar Corps and in coordination with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), is set to conduct a seven-day specialised medical outreach initiative, “Operation Drishti”, aimed at providing advanced eye care to underprivileged civilians and veterans in remote areas.
The Mega Cataract Surgery Camp, scheduled from September 23 to 30, 2026, will provide cataract surgeries free of cost to patients identified through extensive screening camps conducted by 92 Base Hospital.
According to the Ministry of Defence, screening was carried out at several far-flung locations, including Tangdhar, Uri, Bandipora, Khanabal, Kangan, Dawar and Baramulla, during which around 400 patients were identified and shortlisted for cataract surgery.
A specialised surgical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, led by Brigadier (Dr.) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of Ophthalmology, has been mobilised for the initiative. Advanced diagnostic equipment and microsurgical facilities have also been deployed for the surgeries.
The camp will be conducted in two phases.
Phase I: On September 24 and 25, around 200 patients will undergo cataract surgery at the Underground Forward Surgical Centre (UG FSC), Ex 328 Field Hospital, Tangdhar.
Phase II: On September 28 and 29, another 200 patients will undergo surgery at 92 Base Hospital, BB Cantonment, Srinagar.
The Army said the initiative is aimed at taking specialised ophthalmic care closer to people living in remote and difficult-to-reach areas, where access to advanced eye-care facilities remains limited.
The initiative is being conducted as part of the Army’s healthcare outreach under Operation Sadbhavana and is intended to further strengthen its engagement with civilians and veterans in the region.
— Rayees Jamil: Inside Kashmir
