Sniffing Out Danger: How dogs are helping Delhi Police combat bomb threats

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

bomb threats targeting schools in Delhi, a dedicated team of over 7,000 cops, intelligence agents, and bomb squads worked tirelessly to ensure the safety of the city. However, the spotlight shone on a special group of officers that played a pivotal role in these operations – the K-9 squad. Led by dogs with names like Remo, Gabbar, Loafer, and Lucy, these specially trained canines were deployed to sniff through classrooms and sanitize them, giving the authorities the green light to ensure the safety of the premises.

For years, the K-9 squad has been an indispensable part of Delhi Police's bomb detection teams. «They are lifesavers, quite literally. They sniff out critical areas first, giving the team a breather and a heads-up on any threats,» said a handler. Currently, the Delhi Police boasts a team of 72 dogs, including 62 sniffers, seven trackers, and three narcotics specialists. The tracker dogs, which include breeds like Labrador, German Shepherd, and Belgian Shepherd, play a crucial role in crime spot investigations as well.

During bomb threat operations, the trained dogs are equipped with proper gear and closely monitored by their handlers. «As the dog sniffs around, its behaviour is closely monitored by the handler. When the dog senses something out of the ordinary, it sits still. This action serves as an alert to the handler, who then moves the dog to a safe distance before allowing it to sniff the same area once more. If the dog sits at the same spot repeatedly, this suggests a strong likelihood of some