SNIFFER DOG K-9 JOINT TRAINING EXERCISE CONCLUDES SUCCESSFULLY

With the intention of enhancing the mutual corporation among friendly nations, a two day ' K-9 Joint Training Exercise' was organized at the Indian Battalion (INDBATT) in Sector East and Sri Base camp premises in UNIFIL HQ, Naquora on 06 and 09 July 2023 under the guidance of Col Bhupendra Singh Gusain Contingent Commanders of INDBATT 24 and Lt Col Lanka Kaluaggala SLA, 14 th Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC).

The main objective of this programme is to expose the service dogs in different locations by getting familiarized with different scenarios and to make sure the interoperability between K-9 handlers of both INDBATT and SLFPC.

One explosive detection dog and one guard dog from the INDBATT 24 and 04 x Explosive Detection dogs from the 14th FPC demonstrated their special capabilities during this joint training exercise. Inspiring performance made by the dogs were finding the flag with UN logo out of circularly located number of flags, boldly jumps through rings of fire, jumping through hurdles, rescue a person and attacking a suspected person on handler's' commands, showcased the tremendous abilities of sniffer dogs from both the sections.

During the exercise, 04 x Sniffer dogs of the SLFPC K-9 section excelled with their congenital intelligence, aptitude, endurance and temperament. Also, they were effectively trained for the specific duties such as locating narcotics and explosives, tracking and finding concealed narcotics. There in, both contingent members had a chance to exchange their different training methodologies.

Later on, a lecture session was conducted by Lt Col Aneesh A , the main coordinator of this training exercise, Veterinary Doctor & Detachment Commander of INDBATT Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) and imparted the knowledge on Kennel management, Dog Handling and basic first aid for dogs. Further, Lt Col Aneesh examined all dogs of the SLFPC in the K-9 section.

At the conclusion, all participants were awarded with certificates.The Contingent Commander of the 14 th SLFPC, Officer in Charge of the K-9 section of SLFPC, Captain Shanaka Dissanayake along with dog handlers attended the occasion.