Kabul dogs roped in to help secure BRICS summit

Part of 'Mission Kabul' these ferocious canines from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force's (ITBP) K9 unit have been serving in Indian missions in conflict hit Afghanistan for a while now.

Battling terror threats daily, these brave dogs have now been pressed into action to secure the BRICS summit being held in Goa from October 15-16.

This is in the wake of intelligence inputs about a possible terror attack. As a result, the contingent comprising German shepherds, labradors and Belgian Melenois have been sent from Kabul to Goa to aid security forces.

These dogs were deployed at the Indian Embassy in Kabul for over three years and have experienced all sorts of threats and situations. Calling them "battle scarred veterans" an ITBP official says they had a high success rate when used in anti-terror missions against the Taliban.

Sources told DNA that the decision to deploy the dogs serving in Kabul was taken amid several intelligence inputs regarding terrorists using improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to blow up the venue.

"We got an SOS call to secure and sanitise the venues and hotels where delegates will be staying in the wake of the heightened security alert," said an ITBP official.

According to intelligence inputs, Pakistani-based terrorist groups could conduct terror strikes in Goa near the venue between October 12 and 14 with an aim to disrupt the Summit. The is especially important as meetings of important dignitaries from BRICS countries will begun from October 12.

Sources also say that the terror attacks are being planned as retaliation to the "surgical strikes" by the Indian Army destroying terror launchpads across the Line of Control (LoC).

"Since these dogs are experts at sniffing explosives and also detect suspicious movements it was decided to send them," said an official.

There have been several terror attacks on Indian missions in Afghanistan in the last few years including the Embassy in Kabul.

ITBP's dog squad have also been serving in Maoist hit states and play a pivotal role in securing high target installations like the Parliament.

Dogs from the force are also part of the Special Protection Group (SPG) guarding the Prime Minister. These dogs have also thwarted several terror attacks in the country over the last year when they were part of several operations.

Over the years, dog training modules have also been modified to keep pace with growing threat perceptions. Most of the dogs are not just used for sniffing but have also become experts at assault and reconnaissance missions.

They go through a 24 week training programme before being pressed into action.