How a surgeon saved lives in the Kargil War

A doctor recounts his initiation into his surgical tenure at Kargil, where he treated wounded Indian Army soldiers during the war with Pakistan

- Arup Ratan Basu

We did not have a wide choice of channels to watch on television—it was only Doordarshan and Zee News. That is what we were watching after lunch the next day when Major Ramprasad suddenly said, 'It has been almost two days since you have arrived, and you have not received a proper reception here.' I was wondering what he was talking about when there was a terrible booming noise outside and the building shook.

We rushed outside and I understood what Major Ramprasad meant by 'proper reception'. Smoke was billowing from behind some trees on the other side of the river. It was a Pakistani artillery shell, landing barely a kilometer from us. I was reminded of the saying that as soon as someone joins the army, a bullet or artillery shell is made with his name on it.

The telephone rang two minutes later.

'Sir, the convoy halting area has been hit,' said the person calling. 'I will call again shortly.'

Five minutes later, the phone rang again.

'Sir, casualties are on their way to the field ambulance.'

'How many?' asked Major Ramprasad.

'Eleven, sir.'

The anesthetist and I set off for the hospital. My surgical tenure at Kargil was about to start. The casualties arrived and were assessed and stabilized. Everything happened exactly as I had observed yesterday. No one changed the drill and no questions were asked. Everyone worked with silent efficiency. I proceeded to the operation theatre.