Monthly Archives: August 2018

US warns ceasefire would allow Hamas to regroup, strike again

Reuters

Gaza/Amman, November 5

The Hamas-run government said on Sunday that Israeli military attacked a Gaza refugee camp on Saturday night, killing at least 38 people, as calls for a ceasefire by the Arab world were rejected by the United States and Israel.

With the death toll in Gaza mounting, pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged protests in cities around the world on Saturday, calling for an end to the nearly month-old war.

Gaza health officials said on Saturday more than 9,488 Palestinians have been killed in the war, which began when Hamas fighters launched a surprise attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing 1,400 people and taking more than 240 others hostage.

Israel continued to strike Gaza Strip by air, sea, and ground overnight. Gaza health officials said Israeli air strikes destroyed a cluster of houses in the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.

Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas government media office, told Reuters the Israeli strike in Maghazi killed at least 38 Palestinians and wounded 100. A Palestinian news agency had earlier reported 51 dead.

Marouf said an unknown number of people remained missing and rescue workers were trying to search for them under the rubble of the destroyed houses.

Reuters could not independently verify his account.

The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israel says it is targeting Hamas, not civilians, and that the militant group is using residents as human shields.

Foreign ministers from Qatar, Saudi, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Amman on Saturday and pushed for Washington to persuade Israel to agree to a ceasefire.

“This war is just going to produce more pain for Palestinians, for Israelis, and this is going to push us all again into the abyss of hatred and dehumanisation,” Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said at a press conference with Blinken. “So that needs to stop.”

However, the top US diplomat dismissed the idea of a ceasefire, saying it would only benefit Hamas, allowing the Islamist Palestinian group to regroup and attack again.

Washington had proposed localised pauses in fighting to allow in humanitarian aid and for people to leave the densely populated Gaza Strip. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected this when he met Blinken on Friday in Tel Aviv.

Blinken is to visit Turkey on Monday for talks on the conflict, continuing his second trip to the region since the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict reignited.

Speaking in Shanghai, Mohammad Mokhber, Iran’s first vice president, called Israeli actions “a war crime”, adding, “We need to end this immediately and provide more humanitarian assistance to Gaza.”

Israel’s assault and siege have stirring global alarm at humanitarian conditions in the narrow coastal enclave.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators staged protests on Saturday in cities including London, Berlin, Paris, Istanbul, Jakarta and Washington, demanding a ceasefire.

Tens of thousands gathered in Washington to denounce President Joe Biden’s war policy and demand a ceasefire. Some carried posters reading “Palestinian Lives Matter”, “Let Gaza Live” and “Their blood is in on your hands”.

In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told tens of thousands gathered in Jakarta on Sunday that the government reaffirmed its support for the struggle of the Palestinian people and would send a second shipment of aid.

CONCERNS OVER WEST BANK

Worsening violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank has fuelled concerns that the flashpoint Palestinian territory could become a third front in a wider war – in addition to Israel’s northern border, where clashes with Lebanese Hezbollah forces have mounted.

“This has been a serious problem that’s only worsened since the conflict,” Blinken said, adding that he raised it on Friday in his meetings with Israeli officials. “Perpetrators must be held accountable.”

This year had already been the deadliest for West Bank residents in at least 15 years, with some 200 Palestinians and 26 Israelis killed, according to UN data. Since the war in Gaza began, 121 West Bank Palestinians have been killed.

Daily attacks by Israeli settlers have more than doubled, UN figures show, even though most of the deaths have occurred during clashes with Israeli soldiers.

ENCIRCLING GAZA CITY

Israel last month ordered all civilians to leave the northern part of the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City, and head to the south of the enclave.

The Israeli military has since encircled Gaza’s biggest city and is engaging in fierce street fighting with Hamas militants.

Israeli planes dropped leaflets on Gaza City, ordering people to leave towards the south through the Salah Al-Deen Road between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (0800-1200 GMT) on Sunday.

“Time has come, the state of Israel asks you to preserve your lives and to evacuate your homes from the areas of fighting,” said the statement. “Use the chance and evacuate immediately through Salah Al-Deen Road.”

US special envoy David Satterfield said in Amman on Saturday that between 800,000 and a million people had moved to the south of the Gaza Strip, while 350,000 to 400,000 remained in and around Gaza City.

Gaza’s living conditions, already dire before the fighting, have deteriorated further. Food is scarce, residents have resorted to drinking salty water and medical services are collapsing.

The UN humanitarian office OCHA estimates that nearly 1

Dog feels his owner is still in mortuary and does not leave this place

Kannur, November 5

In a heartwarming tale of love and faithfulness, a pet dog is waiting for its owner in front of the mortuary in Kannur District Hospital, where it has been waiting for its deceased master for the past four months, not knowing that he is dead.

Vikas Kumar, a staff member at the District Hospital in Kannur, said, “A patient came to the hospital four months ago and the dog had come along with the patient. The patient died and the dog saw the owner being taken to the mortuary…The dog feels that the owner is still here. The dog does not leave this place and has been here for the past four months.”

The relationship between dogs and humans dates back to ancient times. But here, at a time when even family ties are breaking, a pet dog waits for his master in front of the mortuary.

Kumar said that the faithful dog now lived here and it was very good in behaviour.

Dogs are known for their loyalty and faithfulness to their owners. This is due to their strong pack instincts and the bond they form with their human families. They have evolved to be social creatures and thrive on human companionship. Additionally, dogs have a strong sense of smell and can pick up on the unique scent of their owner, further strengthening their attachment.

Notably, the dog’s longing for his master draws parallels to the story of Hachiko, the dog who waited outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo for his master to return.

According to nippon.com the story of Hachiko, the dog who waited outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo for his master to return even after he had died, tugs at the heartstrings of people worldwide.

A statue of the faithful hound outside the station is the most popular meeting spot in Japan and attracts many tourists too.

Dayma has reportedly said the gurdwaras that have come up in the desert state will become ‘open sores

PTI

Chandigarh, November 5

BJP leaders in Punjab on Sunday sought the expulsion of their party colleague, Sandeep Dayma, over his remarks on gurdwaras at a recent rally in Rajasthan’s Tijara.

The women’s wing chief of the Punjab BJP, Jai Inder Kaur, got a police complaint lodged in Chandigarh on Sunday against Dayma, a leader from Rajasthan.

While senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh sought strict action against Dayma, the party’s Punjab unit chief, Sunil Jakhar, said the Rajasthan leader’s outburst cannot be condoned.

A controversy erupted in Rajasthan ahead of the upcoming state Assembly polls when Dayma made his remarks targeting gurdwaras at the Tijara rally on November 1.

Dayma had reportedly said the gurdwaras that have come up in the desert state will become “open sores” and those should be uprooted.

Dayma has since tendered an apology for his remarks.

Jakhar said he has apprised the party leadership of the reprehensible statement of Dayma.

“Outburst of Rajasthan leader against religious sentiments of fellow citizens cannot be condoned. I have apprised central leadership of hurt caused to people by his reprehensible statement.

“State BJP unit has recommended exploring of all options to ensure no repetition of such misconduct takes place as no apology would assuage hurt and anger caused by this insensitive remark,” Jakhar said on X.

Singh sought strict action against Dayma for his hate remarks.

The former chief minister said people like Dayma, who speak mindlessly and make vicious statements, should have no place in a party like the BJP.

The apology tendered by Dayma has served no purpose as it had already caused immense hurt to well-meaning people, said Singh, who is the member of the BJP’s national executive.

Not only should he be expelled from the party, legal action must also be taken against him, he said.

In her police complaint, Kaur has sought strict action against Dayma for his remarks.

She has said an FIR should be registered against the Rajasthan leader.

A few days ago, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) had also criticised the Rajasthan BJP leader’s remarks.

Samaan Lateef

Srinagar, November 4

DGP RR Swain on Saturday said a significant progress had been made in the case related to the killing of a policeman by terrorists in the Tangmarg area of Baramulla district earlier this week.

Disrupting peace ultras’ motive

The handlers from across the border do not send money to build hospitals, roads, etc. Their intent is to support terrorism and disrupt peace here. RR Swain, DGP

Following his visit to the home of the slain officer in Tangmarg, Swain spoke with reporters, emphasising that vital leads had been uncovered and the investigation had been ongoing.

Mourning the loss, Swain said, “I cannot disclose all investigation details at this time, but I assure you that anyone involved in the crime will not be spared.”

On Tuesday, terrorists killed police head constable Ghulam Muhammad Dar outside his house at Wailoo-Kralpora in Tangmarg. He was the sole-bread earner for the eight-member family of seven daughters and wife. The killing was widely condemned.

The DGP emphasised on the significance of disrupting terrorism’s support networks, saying, “The handlers from across the border do not send money to build hospitals, roads or other infrastructure. Their intent is to support terrorism and disrupt peace in the region. We can thwart their plans only if no one here supports them. We are working to create that environment.”

Subsequently, in the afternoon, the DGP visited the Pattan police station where he reviewed its operations and scrutinised the crime records. During interactions with local police personnel, he stressed the need for comprehensive countermeasures to combat terrorism and prioritise the protection of people’s lives.

Emphasising the importance of enhancing security in vulnerable areas to prevent unfortunate incidents, the DGP directed the officers to strengthen communication within their ranks and augment security measures. He further emphasised the importance of keeping suspicious individuals who support terrorist activities under scrutiny and taking stringent action against those found involved in anti-peace activities.

Asserts judges are guided by constitutional morality, not public morality, while adjudicating cases

PTI

New Delhi, November 4

Asserting that the judgment of a court cannot be “directly overruled”, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Saturday said the legislature can exercise the option of enacting a fresh law to “cure” deficiency in a judicial order.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, Chandrachud said judges don’t think about how society will respond when they decide cases, unlike the different arms of the government.

“There is a dividing line between what the legislature can do and what the legislature can’t do when there is a judgment of the court. If a judgment decides a particular issue and it points out a deficiency in law, it is always open for the legislature to enact a fresh law to cure the deficiency,” the CJI said.

“What the legislature cannot do is to say that we think the judgment is wrong and therefore we overrule the judgment. The judgment of a court cannot be directly overruled by the legislature,” he asserted.

The CJI asserted judges are guided by constitutional morality and not public morality while adjudicating cases.

“The fact that judges are not elected is not our deficiency but our strength,” he observed.

Chandrachud said the Supreme Court of India is the people’s court which is meant to understand the grievances of people and what it does is very different from what the Supreme Court of the United States does.

The American Supreme Court decides 80 cases in a year, he said, adding, “We have disposed of at least 72,000 cases this year and there are still two months to go. That gives the difference in the work which we do. It is important for us as a court to continue to have faith of citizens in terms of work which we do.”

Contending that there are “structural barriers” at entry-level in the Indian judicial system, Chandrachud said more women will join judiciary if it offers a level playing field.

“We need to redefine merit in an inclusive sense. Yes, it’s correct that we do not have adequate women in the higher judiciary because there are structural barriers in the entry level of the judicial system. Most of the tests are conducted in English and are urban-centric.

“For example, entry into the chamber of senior counsel does not follow merit and it’s an old boys club. If you open a level playing field for women, they are capable of gaining entry, you will have more women in the judiciary,” he said.

Chandrachud said one of the critical barriers to understanding the court process or accessing justice is language.

“The Supreme Court of India conducts all its proceedings in English and the Constitution did so (provide for it) for a valid reason which was that in a country which has 22 languages recognised by the Constitution, you have diverse judges coming from different parts of the country, English was construed as a central language which will bind the institution together.

“But that is not the language we speak, which means we are not able to reach out to the people in languages they understand. So, one of the key things we have been doing for the past year is translating all the judgements of the apex court. There we are using machine learning and AI-assisted tools to translate them, and today we have 31,000 judgements translated in different languages. The idea is that courts must reach out to people,” he said.

When asked whether 65 is too young an age for Supreme Court judges to retire, the CJI said it is for Parliament to decide.

“It is important that judges must retire. It is too much of a responsibility for human beings. Judges are human beings…you must pass on the mantle to succeeding generations who would be able to point out errors of the past and rejig legal principles for society to evolve.

“….Because to give that sort of power to unelected judges to continue for life, in the Indian context, it is wisely not adopted by the Indian Constitution,” he said.

About the challenges faced by the judges of the Supreme Court, Chandrachud said the apex court decides around 200 cases every week.

“The real challenge of a judge is to balance competing requirements….Huge inflow of work and the need to create mental space to decide seminal issues, that’s the challenge before a contemporary judge,” he said, adding that the real work of a judge starts after court rises at 4 in the evening.

He referred to the success of the Indian team at the cricket World Cup, saying they inspire him.

“I saw the Indian cricket team lift the last World Cup in 2011… I wish them the best. I admire this team’s commitment to physical and mental fitness and ability to maintain the state of equilibrium,” Chandrachud said.

Previous edition of the exercise was conducted in Malaysia in November 2022

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PTI

Umroi (Meghalaya), November 4

The USA and Myanmar will hold joint military exercises with India at Meghalaya’s Umroi Cantonment later this month and December, respectively, a defence official said on Saturday.

The Malaysian army is currently holding such a bilateral exercise since last month at the Umroi Joint Training Node, the only nominated node of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army.

Thus, the same venue has been selected for the exercises with three countries in consecutive three months.

Since its inception in October 2017, the node has hosted eight joint exercises with foreign countries, including the ongoing ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023’ between the Indian and Malaysian forces, Defence spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.

“Indian Army has engaged positively in the field of defence cooperation by conducting 36 joint exercises with 22 friendly foreign countries in different locations. The training node in Umroi has hosted personnel from six countries so far,” he said.

The first bilateral exercise here was conducted with the Bangladesh army in 2017. The military personnel of other countries who visited Umroi Cantonment for such exercises are Myanmar, Thailand, China, Kazakhstan and Malaysia.

The scheduled upcoming joint exercises are with the USA this month while Myanmar defence personnel, who will be participating in the training here for the second time, in December.

Lt Col Rawat said this Node was conceptualised at Umroi, located on the northern foothills of Shillong along the Umiam river, keeping in mind the conducive weather conditions and terrain configuration offering an optimal training environment.

“The facility at Umroi is the nominated node of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army for conducting joint exercises. In the last seven years, it has matured as a Centre of Excellence for International Army Joint Training and focussed on strengthening military level exchanges,” he said.

The training area is spread over 2,500 acres, encompassing state-of-the-art training facilities for the conduct of counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban and jungle environments under the mandate of the United Nations for Peacekeeping and Peace Enforcement operations.

The training areas include an 800-meter Sniper Range with six firing lanes and elevated platforms. A challenging 1.4-kilometres Battle Obstacle Course with 17 obstacles, culminating into the 300-metre Range with 8 firing lanes, which is utilised for training on endurance and firing skills.

The 200-metre Jungle Lane Shooting Area and Indoor Combat Reflex Shooting Range are optimally designed to train on jungle and urban warfare, including the Counter Terrorist Village Training Area for house intervention operations.

The special operations training area enables training of soldiers for heliborne operations, the Defence spokesperson said.

Sharing details of the ongoing ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023’, which began on October 23 and will end on Sunday, Lt Col Rawat said the Malaysian contingent comprises troops from the 5th Royal Battalion and the Indian contingent is represented by a battalion of the Rajput Regiment.

The previous edition of the exercise was conducted in Malaysia in November 2022.

The exercise engaged approximately 120 personnel from both sides with both contingents establishing a joint command post and an integrated surveillance grid along with a Joint Surveillance Centre.

“The training focused primarily on a high degree of physical fitness, conduct of drills at tactical level and sharing of best practices with each other,” he added.

Lauds dedication of troops deployed in challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions

PTI

Leh/Jammu, November 2

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday visited forward areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and lauded the tenacity and dedication of troops deployed there.

“Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Army commander northern command visited formation in Ladakh sector to review the operational and security preparedness along the LAC,” Northern Command wrote on X.

The Army commander lauded the tenacity and dedication of troops deployed in the challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions, it said.

During his ongoing visit to various formations, projects and border areas in Ladakh, the Army commander on Tuesday hailed the troops of the Indian Army, Indo Tibetan Border Police and General Reserve Engineer Force for their relentless efforts in maintaining highest standards of operational effectiveness under challenging conditions.

He also reviewed operational preparedness for winters and border defence infrastructure development.

Canadian reforms aim to cleanse system

THE Canadian government seeks to combat fraud through its reforms in the process of intake of international students. Earlier this year, several students from India, mainly Punjab, faced deportation as their college admission letters were found to be fake. Most of them were represented by an agent of a Jalandhar-based counselling firm. From December, an enhanced system for study permit processing will be introduced. Canada’s immigration department will directly verify admission letters with institutions to protect prospective students from fraud. Similar tightening of controls in India on travel agents and counselling firms is vital.

International education contributes a whopping $22 billion to the Canadian economy annually. The new framework is aimed at pushing universities and colleges to set higher benchmarks for services, support and outcomes. Institutions that meet the standards will get priority for student visas. The measures also stem from criticism that Canada’s education sector is bringing in so many foreign students that it is increasing pressure on the housing sector and the labour market. The postgraduate work permit programme is also under review to ensure that it meets the needs of the labour market.

The number of foreign students has tripled in about a decade to more than eight lakh. They are charged an average of five times as much as Canadian students. The fee paid by them is often the main source of funding of educational institutions. Since many foreign students use college admission as a pathway to permanent residency, private colleges and immigration consultants are accused of exploiting them for profit. Colleges have sprung up even in makeshift buildings. The risk of fraud, excessive demands for arranging visas or even the challenging living conditions in Canada have failed to deter visa-seekers. That says a lot about the lack of academic and employment avenues at home.

#Canada

The attack comes hours after a series of terror strikes killed at least 17 soldiers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces

PTI

Islamabad/Lahore, November 4

Nine heavily armed terrorists attacked a Pakistan Air Force training base in Punjab province early Saturday and all of them were “sent to hell”, the army said, a day after 17 soldiers were killed in three separate terror strikes in the country.

Pakistan Air Force’s Mianwali Training Air Base, some 300 km from Lahore, was attacked by nine terrorists, the Pakistan Army said in a statement.

The military confirmed that the “combing and clearance operation at PAF Training Airbase Mianwali has been concluded and all nine terrorists have been sent to hell”.

The operation was launched to “eliminate any potential threat in the surrounding area following the cowardly and failed terrorist attack on the base this morning”, the statement said.

The army said while no damage had been done to any of the PAF’s functional operational assets, some damage was done to three already phased-out non-operational aircraft during the attack.

The Tehreek-i-Jihad Pakistan (TJP), a newly emerged militant group that is an affiliate of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the media.

Condemning the attack, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said, “Any attempt to undermine our security will meet with unwavering resistance.”  

The attack comes hours after a series of terror strikes killed at least 17 soldiers in the restive Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Fourteen Pakistani soldiers were killed on Friday when militants ambushed two vehicles carrying security forces from Pasni to the Ormara area of Gwadar district in the restive south-western Balochistan province.

Friday’s toll is the heaviest suffered by the military in Balochistan province this year where separatists and militants have stepped up their attacks since a ceasefire deal between TTP and the Pakistan government ended in November 2022.

Hours before the Gwadar attack, a series of bomb blasts targeting convoys of police and security forces killed one soldier and five others and wounded 24 others in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Two soldiers were killed in another attack in Lakki Marwat district in the same province.

Interim interior minister Sarfraz Bugti said the names of terrorists involved in Friday’s and Saturday’s attacks “must have been different but the enemy behind the scenes is the same”.

He termed the current wave of terror a “conspiracy to make Pakistan a target of uncertainty and instability once again”.

Saturday’s attack is not the first time that terrorists have attacked a military installation in Pakistan.

In September 2015, Taliban gunmen killed 29 people, including 16 praying in a mosque, when they stormed Badaber air base, close to the northwestern city of Peshawar. It was the deadliest Taliban attack on a military installation in Pakistan’s history. Among those killed were 22 serving officials of the Pakistan Air Force, four civilians and three army soldiers responding to the attack. The 13 gunmen were also killed in the attack.

In May 2011, 15 terrorists belonging to TTP and Al Qaeda attacked PNS Mehran, the headquarters of the Pakistan Navy’s Naval Air Arm, located in Sindh and killed 18 military personnel and wounded 16. Two American-built surveillance aircraft were also destroyed.

In July this year, militants belonging to the TJP attacked Zhob Garrison in the restive Balochistan province, killing four soldiers and wounding five others.

Throughout this year, terrorists and separatists have been targeting security forces in Pakistan, mainly in the troubled Balochistan province. Two soldiers were killed in the Khoro area of Awaran district last Sunday.

In July, 12 soldiers were killed in separate military operations in the Zhob and Sui areas of Balochistan.

Pakistan has been facing a rise in violence in the wake of the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

According to a Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) report issued in September, Pakistan suffered 99 attacks in August, the highest number in a single month since November 2014. The number of militant attacks in August was the highest tally for monthly strikes in almost nine years.

The Gwadar district has seen the highest number of attacks in recent months and in August separatists belonging to the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army attacked a convoy of 23 Chinese engineers in the port town of Gwadar.

The Centre for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), a think tank, in a report released in October, noted that the security forces lost at least 386 personnel in the first nine months of 2023, marking an eight-year high.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan were the primary centres of violence, accounting for nearly 94 per cent of all fatalities and 89 per cent of attacks (including incidents of terrorism and security forces operations) recorded during this period. 

Unlike many nations, we have no bravery medal for our combat assault dogs. Why can’t there be such a medal?

Maj Gen Partap Narwal (retd)

The ominous encounter news on television was unusual. The armed forces had lost an Army dog while fighting terrorists earlier that day in the Kashmir valley. The bulletin left me guessing. What could be the specialty of the dog that had laid down his life.

The details emerged the following day. My hunch was not off the mark. He was a combat assault dog. These specialised dogs were tried initially with the Special Forces of the Indian Army in 2015. We had sent for trial some of such trained German Shepherds from the RVC Centre and College (RVC C&C), Meerut, which I then commanded. During the rigorous trials for months in Jammu and Kashmir, the Special Forces found them of immense help in their missions. Later on, the Malinois breed was inducted for the purpose. It’s a type of Belgian Shepherd, which has an ideal combination of agility, stamina and fearlessness. Training further hones their traits such that they, uncaring for themselves, literally bounce off the walls.

The combat assault dogs can take on terrorists hidden in buildings or while dealing with hostage situations. They straightaway storm on seeing a terrorist with a weapon in compromised places. These dogs don’t even need handler-soldiers for spot ordering them. Mounted with remote-controlled, wireless cameras, such dogs can also be launched for seeing the weapons and fugitives inside the buildings.

The canine warrior in the news was a two-year-old, light-brown Malinois named Axel. He had joined his unit in December 2021 in the Valley, after rigorous training at the RVC C&C. Soon, he made a mark for himself in combat assault duties in the challenging environment.

On July 30, 2022, Axel, along with his handler-soldier, was deployed with a combined combat team of the Army and police, tasked with tackling the terrorists reportedly holed up in a building in Pattan area of Baramulla.

Axel was launched on-site with a walkie-talkie and camera mounted on his harness. Axel, after clearing out the first room, entered the next room. As soon as he saw a terrorist with an AK-47 rifle, Axel pounced upon him. The terrorist fired a burst at Axel, killing him from a point-blank range. But before dying, Axel had already relayed the exact location and weapon detail of the terrorist. The soldiers killed the terrorist in the gunfight. Axel’s body could be recovered only when the firing stopped.

By sacrificing his life, Axel saved the lives of several soldiers in his team. Hundreds of canine warriors from Axel’s parental RVC kennels are engaged daily in rescue and security-related duties in different corners of the country. Not only are they guarding installations, but also uncovering hidden bombs and explosives, ensuring safe passages for soldiers and vehicles. Every dog team covers 5-10 km, routinely risking their lives in high-risk scenarios and clearing out roads for safe movement.

Every year, the grateful nation honours dozens of these silent warriors and their handler-soldiers. Axel, too, was honoured on Independence Day with a gallantry award meant for soldiers. Unlike many nations across the world, we have no separate bravery medal for our four-legged warriors. Why can’t there be such a medal for these bravehearts?