Army Chief Reviews LoC Readiness, Cataract Surgery Drive in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth on Friday visited forward areas of the Karnah sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s northwestern Kupwara district near the Line of Control (LoC) to review the Army’s outreach and operational preparedness while meeting troops, veterans and ex-servicemen in the remote border region.

At the Forward Surgical Centre in Tangdhar, General Seth reviewed Operation Drishti, a seven-day mega cataract surgery camp that has identified about 400 patients in need of surgery, a defence spokesperson here said.

Organised under the aegis of the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps-also called Chinar Corps- in coordination with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), the initiative is delivering specialised eye care to civilians and veterans in areas where access to advanced medical treatment remains limited, the spokesperson said, adding that the camp forms part of the Indian Army’s wider humanitarian outreach under Operation Sadbhavana, which supports healthcare, education and community development across remote parts of J&K.

Beyond reviewing the medical initiative, the Army Chief met veterans and ex-servicemen and heard their concerns about welfare, healthcare and local challenges. “The interaction underscored the Army’s effort to maintain close ties with former soldiers living in forward areas and remaining closely connected to the region’s security environment,” a statement issued here said.

In a separate posts on ‘X’, the Northern Command said that its commander, Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, had visited units and formations across the Kashmir Valley to assess preparedness along the counter-terrorism grid. Addressing troops, Lt Gen Sharma praised their professionalism, determination and steadfast commitment, while calling for sustained vigilance and proactive measures to meet emerging threats in the region.

A day earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh visited the Northern Command headquarters in Udhampur, where Lt. Gen. Sharma briefed him on the prevailing operational environment and force preparedness. Air Chief Marshal Singh praised the jointness and synergy between the Western Air Command and Northern Command, saying their coordination—from strategic planning to tactical execution—offered a model for future multi-domain operations. He also commended all ranks for their dedication to safeguarding national interests.