Sniffing Out Danger: How dogs are helping Delhi Police combat bomb threats

Amidst the recent surge in bomb threats targeting schools in Delhi, a dedicated team of over 7,000 cops, intelligence agents, and bomb squads worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the city. However, the spotlight shone on a special group of officers that played a pivotal role in these operations – the K-9 squad. Led by dogs with names like Remo, Gabbar, Loafer, and Lucy, these specially trained canines were deployed to sniff through classrooms and sanitize them, giving the authorities the green light to ensure the safety of the premises.

For years, the K-9 squad has been an indispensable part of Delhi Police's bomb detection teams. "They are lifesavers, quite literally. They sniff out critical areas first, giving the team a breather and a heads-up on any threats," said a handler. Currently, the Delhi Police boasts a team of 72 dogs, including 62 sniffers, seven trackers, and three narcotics specialists. The tracker dogs, which include breeds like Labrador, German Shepherd, and Belgian Shepherd, play a crucial role in crime spot investigations as well.

During bomb threat operations, the trained dogs are equipped with proper gear and closely monitored by their handlers. "As the dog sniffs around, its behaviour is closely monitored by the handler. When the dog senses something out of the ordinary, it sits still. This action serves as an alert to the handler, who then moves the dog to a safe distance before allowing it to sniff the same area once more. If the dog sits at the same spot repeatedly, this suggests a strong likelihood of some suspicious object," explained an officer associated with the squad.

Preparations by the canine unit start well ahead of major events in the city, with dogs undergoing several months of rigorous training. "These dogs have received several months of training, and we always test their abilities by creating real-life bomb threat situations where we place RDX at different locations. So far, they have been successful in tracing the bombs," the officer added.

The K-9 squad, stationed at 10 locations, operates under the Crime Branch, overseen by a DCP-rank officer. DCP (Crime) Satish Kumar currently leads the bomb disposal and K-9 squads. With over 100 skilled handlers, these officers form a strong bond with their canine counterparts, ensuring they receive the care and attention needed for optimal performance.

However, the job comes with its share of emotional challenges, especially when it's time for the dogs to retire. In March, the unit bid farewell to Delta, a star dog, in an emotional send-off. "That’s the most difficult part of this job when the handler has to part ways with the dog that he has spent years with," shared a handler, highlighting the deep bond between these four-legged officers and their human partners.

(With inputs from TOI)