Dogs are indeed army's best friend in Jammu and Kashmir

Kalu is a toughie and deliest. He is posted at front gate of 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp on a hillock in Shopian. He prefers to lie down on grass and do his duty. But it would be a mistake to think he is sleeping. Even faintest unusual sound or smell alerts him and his sound can be heard echoing.

He keeps an eye out for any stranger approaching main gates of unit that has killed 19 terrorists this year including Sameer 'Tiger' and Sdam Pder.

Kallu is one of 30 local dogs – Bhutia breed - opted by 44 RR. He along with 29 ors give round clock security to camp from all sides and all of m have imbibed character of unit y are living with – gentle to friends and a nightmare for foes.

“Every dog has his/her own territory and area of operation. Dare if ar dog or a human besides army guys enter that area,” an officer said explaining presence of such large number of dogs in camp.

I spent two days with famous RR rifles and my biggest worry of stepping out alone was fear of dogs. Somehow y are able to distinguish between an army man and a civilian even if both are dressed in civies. And army guy can guarantee you a trouble free walk inside campus if you are a civilian.

“ dogs are an integral part of security system. y are very alert and are first to react if anything unusual happens. ir barking is what alerts us,” said ar officer.

dogs are also well looked after. y are taken for regular walks and y also get some free running time during day. In case of any health issue, vet care is provided. And all dogs are fed from same langar where food for army men are also cooked.

“y get same food that is prepared for us and also gets specially cooked meals. At times, some officers or jawans get emotionally attached to one of m and I have seen many actually calling out ir favourite dog and giving m portions of ir own n-vegetarian dishes,”a jawan said.

situation is same in almost all camps of army in Jammu and Kashmir. dogs also have ir kennel to sleep in and help m in extreme wear.

re are occasions when dogs have actually alerted guards on duty about terrorist minutes before y were to launch an attack and reby saving lives of many.

One of most beautiful dogs I have seen is a three-month-old dog named 'Chinki'. She is a three-legged one and would happily run to you whenever you call her name. She is most excited of lot and also a favourite of almost everyone within camp.

Meanwhile, joke is that whenever a civilian enters se camps, dogs become alert and barks. Similarly, when army moves out of ir camp for operations, strays outside camps start barking indicating that army is on way.