Mumbai/Kishtwar: As gunfire rang out in Pahalgam during a terrorist attack, doctors across the lake in Kishtwar were performing critical surgeries for underprivileged patients. At the forefront of this mission was Dr Rajeev Pradhan from Solapur, who has been conducting annual surgical camps in the region for the past four years through the Rotary Club.
Dr Rajeev Pradhan, who has previously dedicated 25 years to free medical missions in Africa, now spearheads a similar initiative in Jammu and Kashmir’s remotest districts. The 2025 surgical camp took place from 16th to 24th April in Kishtwar and Doda, areas close to the violence-hit Pahalgam.
Supported by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, the mission assembled a team of 60 doctors from across India, who worked in coordination with local medical officers. Dr Pradhan managed the operations from Bhaderwah.
Despite the unrest in nearby Pahalgam, Dr Pradhan and his team continued to perform life-saving procedures, including hysterectomies, gallbladder stone removals, and cataract surgeries.
Security concerns arose when authorities suspected that militants could be hiding in the forests of Kishtwar. As a result, security around the doctors’ accommodation was intensified.
Unfazed, the team proceeded with their work and successfully completed over 700 surgeries during the week-long mission.
Dr Rajeev Pradhan’s Efforts
At the camp’s inauguration, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha stated, “The state is progressing through road development, education, and government schemes. But I urge citizens not to succumb to threats or temptations by terrorists. Do not shelter them.” His remarks gained widespread coverage in the local media.
The people of Kashmir, many of whom are extremely poor, warmly appreciated the doctors’ efforts. After their surgeries, patients would often offer apples or small tokens of gratitude to the visiting medical professionals.
This is not Dr Rajeev Pradhan’s first experience with operating under the shadow of terrorism. He recalled a previous camp in Baramulla where a bomb was detonated nearby, yet the surgical mission continued uninterrupted.
