New Delhi: The Paris 2024 Olympics, starting from 26 July, will be guarded by a special, best of the best team of soldiers from India — K9 dogs drawn from multiple security forces.
Sources told ThePrint that the Embassy of France in India has requested the Indian government to provide an anti-explosive unit, specifically K9s (dogs) along with their K9 Police Officers (dog handlers), to enhance security measures during the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games from 11 July to 12 August this year.
In response to this request, 10 K9s from various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — including the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Assam Rifles, and elite National Security Guard (NSG) — along with 17 personnel, have been deployed.
The Indian K9 contingent comprises 10 dogs of different breeds — 6 Belgian Malinois, 3 German Shepherds, and 1 Labrador Retriever.
These dogs demonstrated their capabilities during the G-20 Summit (2023) in India, earning widespread recognition.
This marks the first time an Indian K9 contingent will perform such duties abroad.
Sources said that each canine soldier was selected after extensive training sessions and trials.
Sources said that all the dogs have been sent based on their unique capabilities.
For example, the Belgian Malinois is extensively used by the CRPF in anti-Naxal operations and the Army is also looking at inducting them.
Known for their super agility, sharp mind and spectacular endurance and aggression, the Belgian Malinois is a favourite of special forces across the world.
The specialised breed played a role in the Osama Bin Laden raid of 2011 and chased down ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi through a dark and dangerous tunnel in Idlib, Syria, in 2019.
(Edited by Zinnia Ray Chaudhuri)