The deployment comes as part of the broader security measures aimed at preventing potential terrorist threats and maintaining public order
For the first time, India’s esteemed ‘K-9’ team from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will be part of the security apparatus for the Paris Olympics. This elite dog squad, known for its expertise in safeguarding significant national events such as the Republic Day celebrations and the protection of the Prime Minister, is set to embark on its inaugural international mission.
The Indian Ambassador to France, Javed Ashraf, announced that a ten-member K-9 team will be deployed in Paris for a month to assist in securing the upcoming Olympics. These highly trained dogs, accompanied by their ITBP handlers, are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the games, which will take place from July 26 to August 11. The deployment comes as part of the broader security measures aimed at preventing potential terrorist threats and maintaining public order.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, Ambassador Ashraf stated, “In light of India’s ‘security cooperation’ with France, the K-9 team has been specifically invited to contribute to these efforts.”
In addition to their duties for the Olympics, the ITBP’s K-9 team also assisted in securing France’s National Day celebrations on July 14. The grand parade in Paris, which saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the chief guest last year, benefited from the squad’s expertise.
The ITBP’s K-9 unit consists of breeds like Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and other local dogs, renowned for their skills in detecting explosives, ammunition, and narcotics. These canines are crucial to the operations of the Special Protection Group (SPG) and National Security Guards (NSG), responsible for VVIP security, as well as in identifying improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in regions affected by Naxalite insurgency.
The dogs undergo rigorous training at the ITBP’s facility in Bhanu near Chandigarh, following a regimen similar to that of the Indian Army’s sniffer teams. These teams, trained at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) in Meerut, play a vital role in counter-terrorism operations along the Line of Control (LoC).
With the Paris Olympics drawing near, the presence of the ITBP’s K-9 team is expected to bolster the security framework and enhance the safety of this global event.