The 11th Mega Eye Surgical Camp under Operation Drishti concluded at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, on September 30, 2026, bringing the Kashmir leg of the initiative to a successful close. Across the two mega eye camps conducted at Tangdhar and Srinagar, the surgical team from Army Hospital (Research & Referral) (AHRR), under the leadership of Brigadier Sanjay Kumar Mishra, performed 364 eye surgeries, including cataract, glaucoma, pterygium and retinal procedures.

In the weeks preceding the surgical camps, teams from 92 Base Hospital and 328 Field Hospital conducted 18 screening camps across remote and forward areas of the Kashmir Valley, including Tangdhar, Dawar, Machil, Uri, Baramulla, Bandipora, Khanabal and Kangan. Nearly 6,000 people were screened, with around 500 patients identified as requiring surgical intervention. The beneficiaries were subsequently treated in two phases under Operation Drishti.

The first phase was conducted at Tangdhar, in the sensitive sector along the Line of Control (LoC). The camp, held from September 24-25, 2026, marked the first-ever mega eye surgical camp conducted at the LoC in an underground operation theatre. The surgical team successfully performed 220 sight-restoring surgeries over two days, demonstrating the capability to provide advanced ophthalmic care even in remote and operationally challenging locations.

The second phase was conducted at 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, from September 28-29, 2026, where 144 patients underwent eye surgeries. Several patients with severely impaired vision experienced significant improvement, with some regaining clear vision as early as the following day. In addition to cataract surgeries, the camp provided specialised procedures including glued IOL implantation, glaucoma surgery, pterygium excision and retinal interventions for diabetic retinopathy.

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, graced the closing ceremony. Addressing the gathering, he appreciated the eye team for its dedication, professional expertise and compassionate service to the people of Kashmir. Lt Gen Balbir Singh, General Officer Commanding, 15 Corps, along with other senior officers, was also present on the occasion.

The initiative brought advanced sub-speciality ophthalmic care closer to people who would otherwise have had to travel long distances for specialised treatment. With the successful completion of its Kashmir leg, Operation Drishti has now reached the North, West, East and Central regions of the country. The next phase of the initiative is scheduled to be conducted in Odisha.

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SR/PS

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