Jodi no 1 of Indian Army's tracker dog unit deployed in North Kashmir's frontier Kupwara Disatrict was Sunday awarded posthumously for playing key role in eliminating three terrorists last year.
'Mansi', a four-year-old labrador and her handler Bashir Ahmed War of 160 Territorial Army, were gunned down by infiltrating terrorists in August last year, when they were posted in the dense forests where terrorist from Pakistan- Occupied-Kashmir made an infiltration bid in Tangdhar sector. Mansi had sensed the movement of infiltrators and started pulling War towards an area in the high mountainous jungles, where the clouds were low.
As Mansi started barking at the intruders, she got shot by an enemy bullet. In swift action War reacted by firing relentlessly at the intruders, besides calling for reinforcement.
The valiant soldiers of the Indian Army together fell to the enemy bullets, but not before the reinforcements had arrived and an operation was mounted to kill the infiltrators.
According to Col SD Goswami, Public Relations Officer of Udhampur-based Northern Command headquarters, "Both Mansi and War were rewarded with gallantry award for showing exemplary courage which resulted in a successful anti-terrorist operation".
Col Goswami said,"Mansi was honoured with the 'Mention of Despatches' certificate. Her name will appear in the Gazette of India for making supreme sacrifice for nation.”
War, her handler and a resident of Kupwara, was also posthumously awarded the Sena Medal as he died fighting for the nation.
The duo had a successful season last year with three kills to their credit. They were involved in the killing of a terrorist at Kaisuri ridge in Tangdhar area, followed by the gunning down of two militants on July 21 last year.
The mortal remains of the valiant friend of the Army were laid to rest at her unit lines at Trehgam in north Kashmir.
"Dogs have been the unsung heroes in the war against terror in Kashmir and have helped the Army eliminate many militants" Col Goswami told The Pioneer.
Dogs attached with different counter-insurgency units have varied responsibilities in Kashmir.
For example, trekker dogs are meant to help troops in anti-insurgency operations, guard dogs are responsible for guarding garrisons at night.