A
unit of the Indian Army that is often overlooked is the wonderfully capable dog
squad. Canines are a very active unit in army operations. They play a vital,
undeniable role in the protection of civilians and carrying out army
operations.
The
dog squads are an integral part of search operations that include finding
explosive material, identifying narcotics and even finding missing children. They
play an important role in obtaining evidence. They also assist local police in
matters of grave importance. Without their contribution, the army operations
would become much harder or might even come to a halt.
The
first dog squad of India was raised in Shimla in 1957. Since then, the RVC (Remount
Veterinary Corps) is given the responsibility for training the dogs that occupy
over a 1000 ranks in the Indian Army. They
undergo a training routine as rigorous as that of human soldiers. Many
canines are even rejected in the process. This training regime includes reacting
to commands, heeding to orders and even restraining from barking. They are even
a part of Republic Day and other parades. These march pasts require hours of
supervised training. Their training starts from when they are six months old.
German shepherds and Labradors make up a large part of these units. Besides
that, they are also given a rich and nutritious diet.
The
courageous tales of these canines are indeed astonishing. An incident featured
a trained canine detecting the presence of five mines and one grenade that were
buried under the ground. They have been decorated with multiple awards
including Shaurya Chakras and recommendation cards. A contingent of 36 dogs
marched in the Republic day parade of 2016, after 27 years, to honour the acts
of bravery displayed by the unit.
The
Government of India recently announced that it would be looking to have a
three-fold rise in the number of dogs in the Indian squad and increase the
number of teeth in these dogs. This step acknowledged the contribution and
strength of this unit of the Indian Army which often goes unappreciated. In the
grand scheme of things, one must pay attention to the inputs of these
four-pawed soldiers.
References
https://www.ssbcrack.com/2016/04/10-things-may-not-know-indian-army-dogs.html
Compiled
and Edited by:
Batch of 2024
B.A. (Hons.) Journalism
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
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