Meet Tyson, the local dog adopted by the Indian Army that helped eliminate three terrorists even after being shot

A local dog adopted by the Indian Army played a crucial role in eliminating three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists in the Chhatroo belt of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district, despite being shot in the leg, according to a report by the Times of India.

The dog, named Tyson, had been adopted locally and later trained by the Army for specialised counter-terror operations, the report said, citing sources.

During the counter-terror mission, codenamed ‘Operation Trashi-1’, Tyson crawled into a terrorist hideout carved into the rugged terrain of Chhatroo, prompting the militants to open fire. “Despite sustaining a bullet injury, Tyson continued the mission. He was the first to reach near the ‘dhok’ (a temporary mountain shelter), enabling security forces to locate the hideout and neutralise the terrorists. The injured canine was later airlifted for medical treatment,” officials told the Times of India.


Tyson is currently in Udhampur and is reported to be recovering well.

The operation was carried out by the Army’s Counter-Insurgency Force (Delta), along with the police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), after months of planning.

The Indian Army maintains specialised dog units classified into three categories — Assault dogs, which directly engage hostile targets; Tracker dogs, which track enemy movement; and Explosive Detection Dogs, trained to sniff out explosives.

Canines deployed along the Line of Control (LoC), especially in the high-altitude areas of North Kashmir, are typically double-coat German Shepherds, which are well suited for harsh weather conditions. Labradors are more commonly used in hinterland areas.

Handlers have often described Army dogs as legendary for their intelligence and courage. They assist in detecting terrorist infiltration, tracking smugglers, identifying explosives, and even warning troops about potential avalanches.

According to a 2025 report, the Indian military has nearly 12,600 animals, including dogs, horses, mules and camels, trained for operational and logistical roles.

The Army uses several dog breeds, including German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, and Great Swiss Mountain Dogs. Since 2017, indigenous breeds such as the Mudhol Hound have also been inducted into service.

Army data shows there are more than 30 dog units, each comprising around 24 dogs, with at least 12 units deployed in Jammu and Kashmir alone.

These canines undergo months of rigorous training before induction and are usually retired at the age of 8 to 10 years. Earlier, retired Army dogs were euthanised, but since 2015, they have been allowed to be adopted.