In a moving display of compassion beyond the call of duty, Army came to the aid of a young boy from Pattan, Baramulla by fully funding his life-saving heart surgery procedure that would have cost his family unaffordable Rs 9 lakhs at a private hospital in Delhi.

Burhan, a bright teenager from a financially struggling family in North Kashmir, was diagnosed with a severe heart condition requiring urgent surgical intervention.
Without timely care, the condition could have proven fatal. With no means to afford the costly operation and no avenues for help, Burhan’s family faced a heartbreaking reality until the Indian Army stepped in.
Burhan is a student at Daggar Parivaar School in Baramulla, which is jointly run by Indian Army and the Indrani Balan Foundation of Pune with enrolment of 97 disabled children.
The institution is known for its support to differently-abled children, providing full financial assistance for education, therapy, and rehabilitation.
According to Principal Saniya Rashid, the school has so far mainstreamed 114 differently-abled children, transforming their lives through consistent support.
She described Burhan as a vibrant and intelligent student and full of potential.
Talking to Brighter Kashmir, Burhan’s mother Poosha Bano expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the army for saving her son’s life.
“We are immensely thankful to the Army for saving our son. We could never have afforded this operation — it cost nearly R 9 lakh. We come from a very poor family in Pattan and had no means to help him ourselves and my husband works as a painter,” she said.
Transporting Burhan to Delhi posed its own challenges.
Due to widespread road blockades in Haryana and Punjab during farmers’ agitation, the journey was fraught with delays and uncertainty. Yet the Army remained resolute.
An official told Brighter Kashmir that despite disruptions, they managed to coordinate with authorities and ensured Burhan was admitted in time for the crucial surgery.
Thanks to their efforts, the operation was performed successfully.
Army not only covered the medical costs of the boy but also took care of travel, accommodation, and post-operative care.
“I feel normal again,” said Burhan, smiling as he played with friends at Daggar Parivaar School. “I’m back with my classmates, doing everything I love.”
The extraordinary gesture by the Army has touched hearts across the region.
“We have always seen the Army in combat gear,” said one of Burhan’s neighbors. “But today, we see them as protectors in every sense. They didn’t just save a boy — they restored our faith.”
In a region where tensions often cast a long shadow, the Army's humanitarian act serves as a powerful reminder --- true service to the nation is not only about defending borders but also about healing lives.
Burhan's story is a symbol of hope, unity, and compassion — a story where uniforms didn’t just bring protection, but also healing and humanity.