'Never imagined I would enter without protection': Ex-Army officer hails ‘jabardast’ change in Kashmir
Bhagat said coming back to the area brought back old memories of a time when violence and fear were common
- Feb 8, 2026,
- Updated Feb 8, 2026 11:57 AM IST
For Brigadier Deep Bhagat (Retd.), Shopian was once a place where every move was planned with caution, weapons in hand and danger always close.
Years later, the same roads welcomed him back but this time on a bike, without any security, without any armour. The contrast left him emotional.
In a video shared on Instagram, Bhagat, who served in the Indian Army for nearly 30 years and also worked as an instructor at a commando school, spoke about returning to Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, where he once operated during the peak of militancy in the 1990s and early 2000s.
“I am entering Shopian, and I could never have imagined that I would return here in my lifetime without any weapons and protection. Never. Never,” he said in the video. He added that soldiers who fought militancy in those years would not have believed such a moment was possible.
Bhagat said coming back to the area brought back old memories of a time when violence and fear were common and cross-border terrorism was at its peak. He admitted it felt strange to be in the same place without the tension he once lived with. At the same time, he said the present situation made him happy.
In the caption of the video, Bhagat reflected on how his relationship with Kashmir has changed over the years. “Two decades ago, I was operating in Kashmir as a soldier in combat gear and with weapons. Two years ago, I returned on my bike, as a tourist. No weapon. No protection. Just open roads and open hearts,” he wrote.
Calling Shopian a place once “whispered in tension”, Bhagat said the calm and warmth he experienced during his visit moved him deeply. “Shopian, once a name whispered in tension, today welcomed me in peace. This is what change looks like. This is what hope feels like. Kashmir isn't what it was in the 90s and 2000s. And that makes me deeply proud,” he added.
The post struck a chord with many social media users, who credited Bhagat and other security personnel for the change they see today. One user wrote, “It is the result of strong political will supported by dedicate forces.. You have left a mark on the valley which is smiling today.” Another commented, “All thanx to you and your courageous team sir....happy riding..” A third user added, “All thanks to your efforts back in the day sir,” while another wrote, “U the coolest Para guys are the reasonnn for this development.”
For Brigadier Deep Bhagat (Retd.), Shopian was once a place where every move was planned with caution, weapons in hand and danger always close.
Years later, the same roads welcomed him back but this time on a bike, without any security, without any armour. The contrast left him emotional.
In a video shared on Instagram, Bhagat, who served in the Indian Army for nearly 30 years and also worked as an instructor at a commando school, spoke about returning to Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, where he once operated during the peak of militancy in the 1990s and early 2000s.
“I am entering Shopian, and I could never have imagined that I would return here in my lifetime without any weapons and protection. Never. Never,” he said in the video. He added that soldiers who fought militancy in those years would not have believed such a moment was possible.
Bhagat said coming back to the area brought back old memories of a time when violence and fear were common and cross-border terrorism was at its peak. He admitted it felt strange to be in the same place without the tension he once lived with. At the same time, he said the present situation made him happy.
In the caption of the video, Bhagat reflected on how his relationship with Kashmir has changed over the years. “Two decades ago, I was operating in Kashmir as a soldier in combat gear and with weapons. Two years ago, I returned on my bike, as a tourist. No weapon. No protection. Just open roads and open hearts,” he wrote.
Calling Shopian a place once “whispered in tension”, Bhagat said the calm and warmth he experienced during his visit moved him deeply. “Shopian, once a name whispered in tension, today welcomed me in peace. This is what change looks like. This is what hope feels like. Kashmir isn't what it was in the 90s and 2000s. And that makes me deeply proud,” he added.
The post struck a chord with many social media users, who credited Bhagat and other security personnel for the change they see today. One user wrote, “It is the result of strong political will supported by dedicate forces.. You have left a mark on the valley which is smiling today.” Another commented, “All thanx to you and your courageous team sir....happy riding..” A third user added, “All thanks to your efforts back in the day sir,” while another wrote, “U the coolest Para guys are the reasonnn for this development.”