Kushboo Patni’s eyes light up with a mix of nostalgia and gravity as she revisits her time in the Indian Army’s Kashmir deployments. Married to an officer posted in the region’s hotspots for years, she experienced the raw intensity of counter-insurgency operations up close.
‘Every night felt like a test of courage,’ Patni shared in an emotional interview. Encamped in areas notorious for ambushes and infiltrations, the family navigated curfews, bunkers, and unpredictable security drills. The crisp Himalayan air carried whispers of danger, yet it was home.
Beyond the hardships, Patni highlighted the unbreakable camaraderie among army spouses. They formed support networks, sharing stories over chai during power cuts and organizing morale-boosting events. Her husband’s postings took them to the Line of Control fringes, where normalcy was a luxury.
Patni’s reflections come at a time when Kashmir remains a flashpoint. She urges greater recognition for the ‘silent sentinels’ – the families who endure isolation and fear. Through her candid account, we glimpse the fortitude that underpins India’s defense apparatus in one of its most challenging terrains.
