Other States - Orissa   

Dependable sleuths these

CUTTACK: Like its unique pigeon squad, the State Crime Branch here has a strong detective dog squad that is relentlessly helping the State police in tracing explosives, narcotics, search and rescue operations and in tracking thieves and burglars.

The tracking and tracing squad with as many as 22 sniffer dogs is the oldest one raised by the State police. The necessity of an explosive squad was felt in 90s when many districts came under naxal threat. Similarly, the search and rescue squad came up after the super cyclone in 1999. The narcotics squad with two sniffer dogs is the latest addition.

Among these, the explosive squad with 17 sniffers posted in different parts of the State is the most sought-after one and has received applauds for its dedicated service.

Sniffing through the unfavourable mountainous and jungle terrains, members of the squad have come a long way in saving many precious lives of the force.

If it was Rana, a foam-coloured male Labrador, which worked diligently for the force in Koraput and Malkangiri districts, Bahadur is doing a great job in Rayagada district.

“Bahadur has a terrific olfactory sense in tracing hidden explosives and underground mines. Since its deployment here last year, it has not only detected hundreds of hidden mines but also saved an equal number of precious lives,” says A.K. Singh, district SP.

Bahadur is an expert in detecting all kinds of explosives, including rapid detonating explosives (RDX), tri-nitro toluene (TNT) and plastic explosives such as kirkee, says DSP R.P. Khadenga, the in-charge officer of the State Detective Dog Squad (DDS) here.

With only one Alsatian in 1990, the squad now has 17 dogs of different breeds in its rank and file. The Kennel Club of India has imparted training while the breeding centre is supplying pedigree as per its requirement, says a senior police official of the crime branch here.

Currently, three specially trained dogs of this squad Ford, Lovely and Roxy are posted in Bhubaneswar, while Lisa and Mina are doing duty in Cuttack. Similarly, Kronee is posted in Puri, Asha in Rourkela, Astha in Baripada, Queena in Koraput and Miky in Berhampur.

Seven other sniffers in this category are now undergoing training at the headquarters of the canine training and breeding centre.

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