Major General D Vivekanand, serving as Major General Medical at Headquarters Western Command, conducted an official visit on May 30 to the Military Hospital in Pathankot and the adjacent Air Force Station. The primary objective of the visit was to evaluate the readiness and efficiency of medical operations in the region. He was joined by Brigadier VK Shankhyan, Brigadier Medical of the Rising Star Corps, along with senior officers from the Gurj Division.
During his visit, Major General Vivekanand undertook a comprehensive inspection of hospital facilities and medical units that support operational activities in the area. He focused on assessing both peacetime healthcare services and the readiness of medical teams for potential battlefield situations, drawing insights from recent experiences during Operation Sindoor.
In his address to the personnel, General Vivekanand expressed admiration for their dedication, resilience, and high standards of service. He specifically acknowledged the exemplary performance of medical staff during Operation Sindoor, a recent precision strike operation executed by Indian forces against terrorist infrastructure. The General noted that the prompt and professional response from medical teams significantly aided the troops engaged in this critical mission.
As part of his remarks, the General Officer encouraged all personnel to maintain vigilance and dedication in their patient care duties, highlighting the dual importance of delivering superior medical services while also preparing for future operational challenges.
Pathankot is recognized as a strategically sensitive area, having been the site of significant security incidents, including the 2016 airbase attack. In this context, Military Hospital Pathankot is vital for maintaining the health and combat readiness of military personnel stationed in the region.
Operating under the authority of the Western Command, which oversees military operations in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh, the hospital plays a key role in sustaining the operational efficacy of frontline units. The Rising Star Corps, based in Yol, Himachal Pradesh, is a critical formation within the command, established in 2005 to strengthen India’s strategic defense posture in the northern sector. Military hospitals like that in Pathankot are essential in ensuring that frontline units receive necessary medical support for both routine operations and emergency responses.