Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi hails the role of dogs in security operations, disaster management

"Time and again these dogs have helped in foiling not only terrorist conspiracies and bomb blasts but also in relief and rescue missions," he said.

PM Modi, specifically mentioned Sophie and Vida, two canine soldiers who were conferred with the Chief of Army Staff 'Commendation Cards' on the  74th Independence Day this year.

Praising their contribution, the PM said the dogs were honoured because they did their duty diligently in critical missions.

“Indian armed forces have many such dogs who live for their country and sacrifice themselves to protect their country,” he said in the 68th edition of the monthly programme that was aired today.

According to an NDTV report, Vida, a dog from an Army Dog Unit located in the Northern Command, has been honoured for detecting five mines and one grenade buried underground.

Sophie of Special Frontier Force (Bomb Disposal Squad) saved lives by detecting the presence of an initiator/accelerant which could be hastily used to fabricate an IED, added the report.

The PM said some of these “bravehearts” have even died doing their duty while saving precious human lives.

He mentioned Balaram, the dog who sniffed out ammunition on the route of the Amarnath Yatra in 2006, and dog Bhavana who found IED in 2002, but was martyred when the terrorists triggered an explosion. He also spoke about a sniffer dog Cracker of CRPF, who also died in an IED blast, two or three years ago in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has trained several such dogs, who are extremely efficient in detecting people buried under the debris in case of earthquakes, building collapse, he said.

The Prime Minister said Indian breeds like Mudhol Hound and Himachali Hounds, Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippirai and Kombai are known for their efficiency and they are not expensive to maintain and easily adapt to Indian conditions.

In the past few years, Army, CISF and NSG have trained and employed Mudhol Hounds while the CRPF has included Kombai dogs in its canine unit, the PM informed.