Srinagar (J&K):'Axel', an Indian Army dog lost his life in a counter-terrorist operation in the Kashmir valley on Saturday during a building clearance operation there.
Two-year-old Axel of the 26 Army Dog Unit was killed in action after it was hit by terrorist bullets while it was deployed in a counter-terrorist operation with 29 Rashtriya Rifles unit in the area of 10 Sector RR counter-insurgency force, Army officials said. During a building clearance operation, initially, another Army dog 'Balaji' was sent for building intervention and sanitised the corridor inside. "After that, Axel was deployed.
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The dog went inside the first room and cleared it. As soon as it entered the second room, it was fired upon. After being hit, it showed some movement for 15 seconds and fell down," they said. The gunfight continued between the troops and terrorists and once the operation was over, Axel's body was retrieved. Post mortem was carried out at 54 Armed Force Veterinary Hospital which showed that besides the bullet entry and exit wounds, more than ten wounds were also there along with a fracture of the femur.
A wreath-laying ceremony for the dog was held at the headquarters, 10 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, on Sunday, and was attended by Major General SS Slaria, general officer commanding (GoC) of the counter-insurgency force Kilo, and representatives of the Jammu & Kashmir Police. The 26 Army Dog Unit (ADU) and Axel’s handler also paid their last respects to the fallen canine. The burial of the brave dog, according to reports, will take place in 26 ADU premises.
