Srinagar, Sep 25: Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth on Friday visited forward areas and formations of the Chinar Corps under the Northern Command in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district to review operational preparedness and the security situation along the Line of Control (LC) and in the hinterland, the Army said.
Commanders briefed the COAS on the prevailing security environment, operational readiness and capability development initiatives. He was updated on measures to keep a robust security posture along the LC and on preparedness for counter-terrorist operations in the hinterland.
Interacting with troops in operational areas, General Seth commended all ranks for maintaining a high state of vigilance across the operational spectrum. He reiterated the thrust areas of “VIJAY”, the five-point guiding framework he unveiled after assuming office on June 30 — Vigilance, Innovation and Transformation, Jointness and Integration, Atmanirbharta, and Yodha First — aimed at transforming the Indian Army into a future-ready force capable of responding at short notice across the full spectrum of operations.
The COAS also appreciated close coordination among the Indian Army, civil administration, Central Armed Police Forces, Jammu and Kashmir Police and other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability.
The visit is his second to Kashmir since he took charge. His first tour of the Northern Command, from July 7 to 9, covered Headquarters Chinar Corps, formations in the Valley including Kupwara, Uri and Manasbal, Headquarters White Knight Corps and forward areas in the Jammu region.
At Tangdhar in Kupwara’sKarnah sector, General Seth visited the Advanced Surgical Eye Camp being conducted under Operation Drishti 2026. The initiative provides specialised ophthalmic care to serving personnel, Veer Naris, veterans, dependents and civilians, particularly those in remote and difficult-to-reach areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Specialist teams from Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, and 92 Base Hospital, Srinagar, are running the camp from September 23 to 30. More than 6,000 patients are being screened and over 400 ophthalmic surgeries are planned.
The programme is being conducted under the Chinar Corps in coordination with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services. Screening camps were held at Tangdhar, Uri, Bandipora, Khanabal, Kangan, Dawar and Baramulla, after which around 400 patients were shortlisted for cataract surgery.
Phase I, on September 24–25, is being held at the underground Forward Surgical Centre of Ex-328 Field Hospital at Tangdhar, a facility built to function in a high-threat border environment. About 200 surgeries were planned at the forward location before the team moves to 92 Base Hospital at BadamiBagh Cantonment, Srinagar, for Phase II on September 28–29.
The New Delhi specialist team is led by Brigadier (Dr) Sanjay Kumar Mishra, Head of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (R&R). Officials said more than 100 cataract surgeries were completed on the first day of the Tangdhar phase.
Residents of the border belt have described the camp as a relief from the cost and hardship of travelling to Srinagar for specialised care. One local, speaking after a relative’s surgery, said families in the area often cannot bear fare, stay and hospital expenses in the city and thanked the Army for bringing treatment to their doorstep.
Army officials have linked Operation Drishti to the wider people-centric outreach under Operation Sadbhavana, aimed at taking advanced medical care into dispersed habitations where specialist facilities remain scarce.
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