India’s Elite K-9 Squad Deployed for Security at Paris Olympics

For the very first time, India’s elite dog squad, the K-9 unit of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), will be lending a paw to international security efforts. These highly skilled canines, familiar with safeguarding major events like Republic Day celebrations and protecting the Prime Minister, are embarking on a historic deployment at the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Indian Ambassador to France, Javed Ashraf, announced the exciting news. A ten-member K-9 team, along with their dedicated ITBP handlers, will be stationed in Paris for a month to bolster security for the games. Their exceptional training will be crucial in ensuring the safety of athletes, spectators, and the entire event.

The 2024 Paris Olympics, scheduled from July 26th to August 11th, will see extensive security measures in place to counter potential threats and maintain order. India’s strong “security cooperation” with France played a key role in the K-9 team’s invitation.

These top dogs didn’t just arrive in Paris for the Olympics. Their expertise was already on display during France’s National Day celebrations on July 14th. The grand parade, which last year included Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the guest of honor, benefited from the K-9 unit’s presence.

Composed of breeds like Belgian Malinois, Labradors, and even local Indian dogs, the ITBP’s K-9 unit boasts an impressive skillset. These canines are masters at detecting explosives, ammunition, and narcotics. They play a vital role alongside the Special Protection Group (SPG) and National Security Guards (NSG) in ensuring VVIP security, and even assist in identifying Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in areas affected by Naxalite activity.

Trained at a dedicated facility near Chandigarh, the ITBP dog squad shares a similar training regimen with the Indian Army’s sniffer dogs. These equally exceptional canines, trained at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) in Meerut, play a pivotal role in counter-terrorism operations along the Line of Control (LoC).

The deployment of the ITBP’s K-9 unit to the Paris Olympics marks a significant moment for India’s security forces. Their presence signifies not only their own exceptional skills but also the growing international recognition of their expertise.