ITBP Sniffer Dogs to Sanitise Rajpath

The ITBP has named the operation as Lovely Nose as the trained dogs sniff dangers through their nose and ward off threats.

NEW DELHI: The crack K-9 units (canine units) of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) will sanitise the venue of the Republic Day celebrations at the Rajpath here amidst heightened intelligence inputs suggesting spectacular action by the terror groups.

Top officials of the Intelligence and security agencies had earlier this month reviewed the threat from the terror groups to the Republic Day venue and concluded that the vulnerability is the highest ever. Leaving no chances, it was decided that a large number of sniffer dogs will be deployed days ahead of the celebrations to sanitise the area tooth and nail, Union Home Ministry sources. 

“Funds of the terror groups have dried up following the demonetisation undertaken by the NDA Government and the inimical forces are seeking to boost the morale of their sleeper cells and regain some relevance. In the light of the inputs, retribution by the terror groups is likely and occasions like the Republic Day always give chances of wide publicity if hit,” a senior Union Home Ministry official said.

The official further said, “During the security meeting the high grade intelligence inputs were collated, scrutinised and analysed thoroughly and concluded that the threat perception was highest ever. The Pakistan-based terror groups have activated some of the sleeper cells to spread terror at the Rajpath during the Republic Day celebrations.”

The official did not divulge the number of canines that will be deployed for the purpose but said the paramilitary has already started mobilising their trained Malinois and Doberman breeds for sanitising the venue.

The ITBP has named the operation as Lovely Nose as the trained dogs sniff dangers through their nose and ward off threats.

The Patrol Explosive Detection Dogs (PEDD) are highly trained and the K-9 units have a zero error track record during the last over 40 years of deployment and the paramilitary has never come under IED attack wherever these canines have sanitised the areas during Road Opening Patrol or other duties. 

Officials said while the sniffers of the police sanitise the venue of the celebrations every year, the number of trained dogs pressed this year are large in number and most of them are being drawn from the ITBP.

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