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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Surgery saves boy who gulped tiny LED bulb

Mumbai : In a bizarre development, a small boy from Kolhapur swallowed a tiny LED light bulb a few months ago that got stuck deep in his...

Surgery saves boy who gulped tiny LED bulb

Mumbai : In a bizarre development, a small boy from Kolhapur swallowed a tiny LED light bulb a few months ago that got stuck deep in his lung causing huge trauma and emotional stress for his family, officials said.   When the unusual case was referred to the Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre (JHRC), a team of medicos successfully extricated the foreign object lodged in the three-and-half-year-old boy’s chest.   Recounting the remarkable feat, a JHRC official said the child, Aarav Patil was reported to be suffering from severe breathing difficulties and incessant coughing for almost three months.   Doctors treating him at his home town initially mistook it for pneumonia and subjected him to multiple courses of antibiotics and other medicines, but there was improvement in the boy’s condition.   Subsequently, he was taken for advanced tests, examinations and a CT Scan which revealed the shocker – a metallic object was sitting inside the boy’s left bronchus, partially blocking the airway.   More tests identified the offending object – it was a LED bulb from a toy car – a development so rare that even seasoned doctors described it as a ‘one in a million case’.   Though doctors in Kolhapur attempted to retrieve the foreign body through flexible bronchoscopy - a minimally invasive procedure - the attempts proved to be unsuccessful.   As Aarav’s condition appeared to deteriorate, his desperate family rushed him to JHRC and he was referred to a team of specialist doctors.   After studying his case and examining Aarav, the medical team comprising thoracic surgeon Dr. Vimesh Rajput, ENT surgeon Dr. Divya Prabhat and Dr. Anurag Jain discovered that the bulb had not only blocked the bronchus but had also embedded itself in the surrounding tissues of the lung tissue, making its removal extremely challenging.   A rigid bronchoscopy conducted further confirmed the severity of the obstruction. Left with no other option, the doctors decided to opt for a mini thoracotomy — a delicate surgery involving a 4-centimeter incision in the chest.   “This was one of the rarest cases we’ve encountered. The bulb was lodged in such a way that conventional methods could not retrieve it. Through careful planning and teamwork, we managed to safely remove the object by a mini thoracotomy and restored Aarav’s lung function,” explained Dr. Rajput.   Emphasising how such cases are ignored, Dr. Prabhat pointed out that chronic cough or breathing issues are often dismissed as common pneumonia or even asthma.   “However, such persistent symptoms must always be investigated thoroughly, especially through early detection and imaging which can make all the difference to the patient,” she averred.   JHRC CMO Dr. Milind Khadke said, “The foreign body aspiration in kids is far more common that parents may realise but quick intervention is critical to prevent long-term medical complications.”

India Strikes, Targets Hit

India’s calibrated military response to the Pahalgam massacre signals resolve without reckless escalation.

A security personnel keeps vigil at Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib following Operation Sindoor in Patna on Wednesday. Pic: PTI
A security personnel keeps vigil at Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib following Operation Sindoor in Patna on Wednesday. Pic: PTI

The barbarous atrocity wherein Pakistan-sponsored terrorists slaughtered more than 25 persons, mostly innocent Hindu tourists, in Pahalgam on April 22 was a cowardly terrorist attack. No matter how much Pakistan may deny it, the ISI’s imprint was unmistakably present. The attack provoked a wave of collective anger and grief in India. Pakistan’s motive, which was to promote the selective killing of Hindus, was aimed at tarnishing India’s global image and send a fanatical message to provoke a strong reaction from India. It had hoped to create mayhem by exploiting Hindu-Muslim religious sentiments.


Such well-planned attacks, which call into question national security, cannot go unpunished. As emergency measures, India initiated several actions: suspending the Indus Water Treaty, cancelling visas of Pakistani nationals, reducing diplomatic relations, and closing the Attari-Wagah border.


But that was certainly not enough. Simultaneously, India launched diplomatic efforts to build international pressure on Pakistan by seeking to return it to the FATF grey list and to craft a befitting response that the global community would see as proportionate, yet effective. The objective was to act decisively without triggering a reckless response from Pakistan. This required proper planning at the level of government and armed forces, the deployment of appropriate platforms and weapons, and the protection of Indian citizens. The civil defence drill conducted nationwide was a step in the right direction.


A befitting reply came in the form of Operation Sindoor, executed on the intervening night of May 6 and 7. The operation appears to have been meticulously planned, involving all three services. The Indian Army maintained a close watch on the borders; the Navy ensured maritime vigilance; and the Indian Air Force delivered a deterrent strike on Pakistani soil. The goal was to inflict damage on terrorist infrastructure and hurt Pakistan’s morale. The Indian Air Force appears to have achieved its objectives.


The selection of platforms and weapons depends on the mission. For Operation Sindoor, the Dassault Rafale was ideal, equipped with Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, an advanced electronic warfare suite, and superior radar and communication systems. Rafale’s Thales RBE2 AESA radar and frontal stealth capability enabled pilots to operate with superior situational awareness and under high-pressure conditions.


India used a variety of high-precision, long-range weapons, including SCALP cruise missiles, HAMMER precision-guided bombs, and loitering munitions—giving it flexibility, accuracy, and the ability to strike selectively. The MBDA SCALP (or Storm Shadow) is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile designed for deep precision strikes. HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range), developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, is an air-to-ground system designed for medium-range tactical missions against both stationary and mobile targets. Loitering munitions, often referred to as ‘kamikaze drones,’ provide surveillance, target identification and precision engagement.


Using these systems, India targeted nine locations within Pakistan, including a Jaish-e-Mohammed base in Bahawalpur and a Lashkar-e-Taiba base in Muridke. These strikes specifically targeted key terror bases and training facilities - organisations long involved in attacks on Indian soil. By relying on advanced precision weaponry and real-time intelligence, the Army, Navy, and Air Force coordinated their efforts, carefully avoiding Pakistani military installations.


Reflecting on the action, the Indian Army declared: “Prhaaraay SnnihitaaH, Jyaay PrshikssitaaH – Ready to strike, trained to win.” It asserted that justice had been served.


In support of Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of External Affairs said it was essential to bring the perpetrators and planners of the April 22nd attack to justice. The MEA noted that, even 15 days after the attack, Pakistan had taken no verifiable action to dismantle terrorist infrastructure on its soil or in areas under its control. Instead, it had resorted to denials and counter-allegations. Intelligence monitoring of Pakistan-based terror modules indicated that further attacks were imminent. India, therefore, had a compulsion to both deter and pre-empt.


India has delivered a restrained yet clear message to Pakistan. Whether it is enough for Pakistan to learn a lesson remains uncertain. Given its past behaviour, India must remain fully prepared, not just for Pakistan’s provocations, but also for the strategic games of the China-Bangladesh-Turkey trio.


Jai Hind.


(The author is a retired naval aviation officer and defence analyst. Views personal.)

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