Kent, a six-year-old female Labrador of 21 Army Dog Unit, Tuesday laid down its life while shielding its handler during a counter-terrorism operation in the frontier district of Rajouri.
So far, one terrorist was killed while an army jawan succumbed to his injuries, and three others including one police SPO and two army jawans were injured in the ensuing encounter in the Narla area of Rajouri district.
According to a Jammu-based Defence PRO, Lt-Col Suneel Bartwal, “Indian army dog Kent of 21 Army Dog unit was at the forefront of Operation Sujaligala in Rajouri. He said Kent was leading a column of soldiers on the trail of fleeing terrorists. During the chase, it came down under heavy hostile fire. While shielding its handler it laid down its own life in the best traditions of the Indian army”. Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police, Jammu range Mukesh Singh in a statement said, “One terrorist was killed. One army jawan was martyred, and three others including one police SPO injured in the ensuing encounter in the Narla area of Rajouri district”.