INDIAN ARMY : A SHIELD FOR CIVILIANS THROUGH EVACUATION, MEDICAL AID AND HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT

War is a time of immense uncertainty, fear and destruction. While the primary role of the Indian Army is to defend the nation against external threats, one of its equally vital and humane missions is to protect civilians caught in the crossfire. The Indian Army consistently upholds its tradition of service to the nation by ensuring that non-combatants are evacuated, medically treated and supported with basic needs during times of armed conflict.

This article explores how the Indian Army safeguards civilian lives during war through carefully coordinated efforts like evacuation, medical aid and humanitarian assistance. In the face of war, one of the first steps taken by the Indian Army is to evacuate civilians from danger zones. These operations are often launched with little notice and require precise coordination under challenging circumstances.

Villages located close to the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, the international border in Punjab, Rajasthan or Gujarat are most vulnerable during military escalations. In such scenarios, the Army, along with local authorities, mobilizes evacuation convoys to move civilians to safer locations.

Specially trained units are deployed to assist elderly citizens, women, children and people with disabilities during evacuations. During the Kargil War in 1999, many border villages in Ladakh and Kashmir were evacuated to prevent civilian casualties from artillery shelling and enemy fire.

Evacuated civilians are housed in Army-setup camps with basic facilities like water, food, toilets and bedding, often in nearby schools, community halls or open shelters. In wartime, civilians often suffer from injuries caused by bombings, shelling and gunfire. The Indian Army’s Medical Corps plays a critical role in extending timely treatment and care to those affected.

The Army sets up temporary field hospitals close to conflict areas, staffed by trained doctors, nurses and medics. These facilities handle everything from trauma injuries to emergency surgeries. Mobile Medical Units: Equipped ambulances and mobile medical vans move into dangerous zones to deliver first aid, minor surgeries, vaccinations and treatment for trauma and burns. Coordination with Civil Hospitals: Army medical teams also collaborate with civilian hospitals to refer critically injured patients when advanced care is required.

During cross-border firing incidents in Jammu and Kashmir, civilians injured by mortar or sniper attacks are quickly transported to Army medical posts where they receive life-saving treatment. In addition to physical protection and medical care, the Indian Army provides humanitarian assistance to civilians impacted by war. The aim is to ease suffering and restore a sense of normalcy even in conflict-affected zones.  The Army ensures and aids civil administration to distribute   ration kits, drinking water, medicines and warm clothing to affected families. Special care is taken to meet the needs of children and the elderly.

 When regular schools are closed due to conflict, the Army sometimes conducts informal education sessions or recreational activities for children in safe zones. In prolonged conflicts, Army-run community kitchens feed hundreds of people daily, ensuring that no one goes hungry. Army personnel, especially in counter-insurgency zones, often work with psychologists or trained officers to provide counseling and emotional support to those suffering from trauma.

During war, coordination between the Army, local administration and civil society becomes crucial. The Indian Army fosters strong civil-military relations to enhance the safety and confidence of civilians. Civilians are educated about safety protocols, shelter locations and what to do during attacks through community meetings and announcements.

During active operations Army designates “No Fire Zones” or Civilian Safe Zones, marked clearly and protected from active military operations and subsequently after the conflict ends, the Army often assists in rebuilding damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools and houses in affected areas.

The Indian Army’s tradition of supporting civilians during war is rooted in its ethos: “Seva Paramo Dharma” (Service is Supreme Duty). The Army does not view civilians as mere bystanders in war but as people deserving protection, compassion and dignity. From the Indo-Pak wars to the Kargil conflict and from cross-border ceasefire violations to counter-insurgency operations, the Indian Army has continuously proven that even in war, humanity must not be forgotten.

The Indian Army is not just a fighting force—it is a force of compassion. By conducting evacuations, offering medical aid and providing relief during the horrors of war, it ensures that civilians are not left helpless. These selfless actions demonstrate that even in the darkest times of conflict, hope and humanity can prevail—guarded by soldiers in olive green.