VVIP venues get K9 security cover

NEW DELHI: Seven years old, he has a keen nose for the job. Such is the rise in his reputation that no function involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now held in the capital without him first recceing the venue. Meet Rex, a black Labrador who led the crack team of 20 " commandogs" guarding the Indo-Africa summit security. It was during the high profile meeting that Rex showed just why he is considered top dog in his field.

As part of a drill, 5 grams of RDX was planted near the PM's chair. The quantity of the explosive was miniscule and difficult to detect. But Rex got there in two minutes flat. Sources say the home ministry now plans to reward Rex, a member of the K9 unit of Indo Tibetan Border Police, for his contribution in securing high-profile venues. Officials said that the security unit of Delhi Police had approached the home ministry requesting the services of Rex and 19 others to secure the summit venue which had an extremely high threat perception in the wake of the unprecedented congregation of 54 heads of state and government of African nations.

K9 units were scrambled from all over India to be a part of the security blanket. Rex was crucial in anti-sabotage checks and sanitisation drills carried out at the venue IGI stadium, Pragati Maidan and the hotels where the dignitaries were staying. He showed amazing skills during the drill conducted by the PM's security wing of Delhi Police. Rex, a black Labrador from the K9 unit of Indo Tibetan Border Police ( ITBP), has impressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security wing with his efficiency in sniffing out explosives and helping sanitise highprofile venues. During the recent IndoAfrica summit, Rex guided his handler, constable Pundalik, to the exact location of a mock IED within seconds, validating the confidence of the agencies in the security apparatus for the event.

Rex's colleague, Sofia, a Belgian Malinois, had similarly detected a mock IED placed by Delhi Police during the International Yoga Day in quick time. Malinois dogs are of great help to troops for detecting IEDs and landmines in Naxalite-affected areas.

Officers say that these 'commandogs' were of great help during Op Uncle ObMo (meeting of Obama and Modi), Op Doga (International Yoga Day), Op Lal Qila (Independence Day) and Op Rd (Republic Day) this year and that their sharp performance has been appreciated by security experts.

ITBP has an advanced training facility for its dogs at its 'K9 centre' in Chandigarh, where these 'commandogs' undergo rigorous physical and IED-detection training for months before they are inducted. Interestingly , the canine commandoes are taken to their inspection points in air-conditioned vans so they don't suffer from journey stress.

"They have emerged as strategic national assets. Over the years, highly trained K9 units have become a standard feature during highthreat international events held in the capital," said a senior government official.