Though heavily sedated, there is a smile on Shazda’s face.

The young wife of Sipahi Nazir of the Jammu & Kahmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) dodged certain death when terrorists shot her on the back during the Sunjwan military camp attack.

Shazda, though 35-weeks pregnant, tried to run to safety when the three Pakistani terrorists entered the heavily fortified military camp and opened indiscriminate fire.

When the jawans walked through a hail of bullets to rescue her, Shazda had already lost a lot of blood. She was feeling weak and dizzy. The jawans managed to drag her out, but the terrorists opened fire again.

“The patient was traumatised. She was in a state of shock”, says Brigadier Dr Ajay Malik, Commandant of the Jammu Hospital. A team comprising gynaecologists, pediatrician, orthopedic surgeon got into the act immediately.

Once doctors stabilised the mother, a check was done to ensure the viability of surgery.

“Shazda is a very strong woman. She withstood the pain and has responded very positively to the treatment. She was very happy to see that we first did a C-section surgery when we found that the foetus was viable and delivered a healthy baby girl,” says Colonel Jyoti Joshi, head of anesthesia team.

The second medical team then took over and removed the bullet fragments from her back.

“Both the mother and child are healthy, but will have to remain in hospital for full recovery,” says Colonel Anupam, registrar of the military hospital.

The fact that both mother and child are safe has enthused the entire hospital and military station. Doctors very proudly say they were able to revive all those who were brought to hospital.

Meanwhile, Nazir, who was battling terrorists when his wife was hit by terrorist bullets and rescued by his comrades, has not only thanked the almighty but also the Army doctors for giving him and his family another lease of life.