Dogs of War: K9 units of Indian Army conduct heliborne insertion drill in Manipur
Kohima: Military working dogs and their handlers from the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army carried out a slithering exercise at the Leimakhong Military Station in Manipur on Friday. The K9s trained for rapid heliborne insertion in operationally demanding conditions.
Five K9 teams participated in the exercise, which focused on aerial deployment techniques, operational coordination and combat readiness – skills that are increasingly critical in counter-insurgency environments such as Manipur, where the army has maintained a significant presence for decades under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Handlers must manage the animal’s composure and coordination while executing the manoeuvre under simulated operational pressure, a task that demands extensive conditioning of both the dog and its handler.
The K9 units of the Indian Army are deployed across a range of missions, including search and rescue operations, explosive detection, disaster management response and the tracking and neutralization of militants in jungle and urban terrain.
In the northeast, where dense forest cover and difficult topography complicate ground operations, dog teams provide a distinct tactical advantage in locating hidden insurgents or improvised explosive devices.
The Red Shield Division, formally the 57 Mountain Division, is headquartered at Leimakhong and is one of the primary formations responsible for counter-insurgency operations in Manipur.
The station has long served as a hub for specialized training activities given its proximity to active operational zones.
“The exercise reflects a broader effort by the army to integrate its K9 assets more tightly with air assets, improving the speed and flexibility with which dog teams can be inserted into remote or inaccessible areas,” an Indian Army official said.
“Such integration is particularly relevant in Manipur’s hill districts, where road access is limited and air mobility often determines operational outcomes.”
All About K9 Units of the Indian Army
The Indian Army’s K9 units form a specialized corps of military working dogs and their handlers, trained for a wide range of operational and support roles.
Dogs are deployed for explosive detection, tracking of militants, search and rescue operations, disaster management and perimeter security at sensitive installations.