Jammu: The Indian Army on Wednesday paid tribute to Phantom, a four-year-old Army dog, in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, officials said.
Organised by the AD Brigade Udhampur here, the ceremony was attended by top Army officers and many soldiers.
Phantom, a Belgian Malinois assault dog from the Army, was killed in action while pursuing terrorists during an anti-terror operation in Jammu's Akhnoor sector on Monday.
A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was organised today at #Udhampur to pay homage to #ArmyDog #Phantom who made the supreme sacrifice in dense jungles of Battal, Akhnoor (J&K) on 28th Oct 2024. His sacrifice will never be forgotten.@SpokespersonMoD@adgpi@Whiteknight_IA @diprjk pic.twitter.com/A30hurEx2V
— PRO Defence Jammu (@prodefencejammu) October 30, 2024
According to the Army, the operation unfolded in the early morning when terrorists launched a surprise ambush on an army convoy in the dense jungles of Battal in the Akhnoor.
Phantom played a crucial role in tracking the terrorists’ trail amidst the challenging jungle terrain, it said. As the operation progressed, the dog detected hidden explosives and identified potential escape routes, enabling troops to tighten the cordon.
Tragically, during a close encounter, the Army dog sustained fatal injuries while attempting to protect the troops from a terrorist assault. His actions were critical in ensuring the containment of the terrorists, underscoring the bravery, loyalty, and vital contributions of the Army’s canine warriors, the Army said.
Born in May 2020, Phantom was inducted into this area in August 2022, and since then, he has been a vital part of multiple high-stakes missions. Phantom’s sacrifice is a stark reminder of the high costs borne in the pursuit of national security and peace.
Senior officials paid tribute to Phantom’s supreme sacrifice while commending the troops’ swift and coordinated response. "Phantom’s bravery saved lives and was pivotal to the operation's success. His sacrifice will be remembered with honour," said the Defence PRO Jammu.
The operation, supported by advanced technology including drones, ordnance-dropping devices, and night surveillance equipment, successfully neutralised the terror threat, preventing any escape and ensuring no casualties among troops. The mission reinforced the Army's commitment to maintaining peace and harmony, even amid attempts to disrupt the Diwali celebrations.
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