It was a four-year-old Belgian Malinois called Phantom, who gave his life in an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector to confirm his position among the K9 heroes of the Indian Army. Phantom belonged to the elite K9 unit which had training for combat that is considered as high stakes for the troops.
This K9 specialized in tracking and detecting and even apprehending hostile conditions and enemies. As the troops closed in on the bunch of terrorists trapped in the location, Phantom was entrusted to lead the way during the operation. He sustained fatal injuries from enemy fire, but still continued with the duty at hand to see that the mission went well and, in so doing, exhibited unmatched valor and loyalty.
The White Knight Corps on a post on X, paid tribute to Phantom
Update
We salute the supreme sacrifice of our true hero—a valiant #IndianArmy Dog, #Phantom.
As our troops were closing in on the trapped terrorists, #Phantom drew enemy fire, sustaining fatal injuries. His courage, loyalty, and dedication will never be forgotten.
In the… pic.twitter.com/XhTQtFQFJg
— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) October 28, 2024
The sacrifice Phantom made shows the crucial place dogs have in the Indian Army. They are very fundamental in operations that call for unique tracking and detection abilities. Phantom is part of a long series of bravest army dogs who had served and lost their life in similar operations. This list includes heroes like two-year-old Belgian Malinois Axel, who was sent off to Baramulla in Jammu, Kashmir, where he played an important role in alerting soldiers hiding militants and took a bullet while saving the lives of his handler and other soldiers. Axel was awarded posthumously when he was given full military honors during his ceremonial burial by his unit.
Another such hero was Zoom, an assault dog who did exceptionally well in counter-terrorism operations. In October 2022, Zoom had an encounter with terrorists in J&K and engaged them with utmost valour. Though receiving gunshots, Zoom continued to perform his mission, giving time to soldiers to get a tight grip on the area. Just like Axel and Phantom, Zoom was a Belgian Malinois, a breed known for agility, intelligence, and endurance, which are qualities demanded by the most demanding military operations.
These dog soldiers, through their sacrifice, were immortalized by the Indian Army, and they consider the canines honored members of the force. The unit where Phantom belonged-the White Knight Corps-drafted a statement to highlight the loyalty and valor displayed by this faithful canine. This shows just how closely knitted between soldiers and dogs there could be during difficult moments while undergoing severe training with their utmost reliance in extremely adverse conditions.
These are not ordinary dogs, but heroes trained at the Remount Veterinary Corps in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. They spend nearly an entire year training with them, acquiring all skills, from detecting explosives to taking tactical assault skills. Dogs of the Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, and Labradors have always been favored since they are very physically strong and agile and possess high intellects. Each K9 soldier is attached with a human handler to train intensively. The dog-handler bond is very important during high-pressure missions where all the difference between life and death might come from non-verbal cues and intuition.
The Army dogs undergo exhaustive training. Besides obedience and detection, they are conditioned not to panic under gunfire and to follow silent cues for stealth. Other unique skills are scent detection and agility, perfected so that the dogs can work in combat and often lead their handlers into situations where dangers are highly posed for them to risk as well. Moreover, these dogs are even facilitated with body armor and gadgetry technologies that assist in operations and are the front line in anti-terror actions.
Indian Army dogs retire around eight to ten years of age and, contrary to earlier practice, are put up for adoption. Since 2015 the policy was altered and these veterans can spend their remaining years with loving families or in rehabilitation centers rather than being euthanized for security reasons. The trend depicts increasing awareness towards the efforts these dogs create for the nation and also a will to salute both in their lifetime as well as post retirement.
This legacy of Phantom with Axel and Zoom, Mansi has died in defense of the handler. Their sacrifice is much more than just mere obedience; they are as strong and brave as the human counterpart. It speaks of the Indian Army’s gratitude, that no one will ever forget these K9 warriors. Phantom’s valor in Akhnoor reminds one of other silent heroes who will stand guard forever for the country-loyal and bold till death.
