Editorial . . . . .
Army dogs have always been an indispensable part of the armed services. A military dog is capable of more than just alerting of an uprising by the enemy and explosive detection. The relationship that exists between a soldier and a dog predates the battlefield itself. The Romans were the first to use trained dogs in close combat, and training a dog is made easier by the canine’s natural desire to please its trainer. The bravery, loyalty, and dedication of a special breed of warriors and combatants known as “dogs of war” are renowned throughout the entire world. They strike out brutally and without fear. These four-legged troops, who have been fighting since the dawn of time, truly are “man’s best friend.” Using dogs in battle is nothing new. Since the earliest recorded conflicts, man has directly included dogs in military operations or employed them in combat. The Indian Army has a long history of dog associations. In the middle of 1959, the first army dog deployment took place. They were widely implemented as a result of the first batch’s good performance. On March 1, 1960, a combat dog training facility was established in Meerut. Dogs and their trainers receive basic and advanced training at the Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and College on specific missions such as bomb detection, mine detection, tracking, guarding, and attack. After training, they are assigned to one of the many categories, including avalanche rescue dogs, tracker dogs, guard dogs, infantry patrol dogs, mine detective dogs, explosive detective dogs, and so on. These trained dogs are used in a variety of operational capacities in J&K, the Northeast, and LOC especially. They are also given the responsibility of protecting crucial defence installations and providing protection for VIPs. An army dog named Zoom, who passed away on Thursday from bullet wounds sustained during anti-terrorism operations, received a military send-off from army officers and soldiers in Srinagar. This action exemplifies how the Indian army honours people as well as animals also who sacrifice their life for the great country. Numerous troops and officers carried Zoom’s coffin on their shoulders as they do in the case of soldiers killed in gunfights. They saluted him, laid wreaths on his grave, and played the final post. This kind of salute is only appropriate for warriors who sacrifice their lives while performing their duties. On October 10, Zoom was thrust into a front-line combat role in the Tangpawa area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Others who honoured Zoom included the General Officer Commanding of the Chinese Corps, Lt. Gen. A D S Aujla, who was praised for his valour. The soldiers engaged in a gunfight after he led them to the terrorists’ hiding place while sniffing the ground. During the conflict, two terrorists were killed. Terrorists fired their weapons in the direction of Zoom during the gunfight, seriously wounding him. Even though the battle was still in progress, the soldiers lifted him and carried him to the hospital where he underwent extensive surgery, but canine fighter Zoom passed away from his wounds. In keeping with the Indian army’s authentic traditions, a proper farewell was given to him. This is a rite of passage for troops who have died in battle. Zoom has emerged as an enduring representation of the Indian army’s determined fight against terrorists in Kashmir. No matter if they are canines or humans, the army respects everyone who battles terrorism in the real world. At the heart of soldierly conduct is the struggle against terrorism, which is particularly important in the context of Kashmir because acts of terrorism have not only resulted in the deaths of thousands of people but have also held normal life captive. The disruption of the people’s life for several weeks caused them to lose a significant portion of their income, and it also brought about the nightmare of mental illness with all of its challenges staring them in the face.
The Indian army, which has spent the last 33 years fighting terrorism, has laid the foundation for everyday life. Today, life is more than normal since people can work without interruption, children go to school on a regular basis, and lakhs of tourists have already visited the Valley. The development, which had previously only existed as an imaginary, has now materialised as a tangible reality. In keeping with its traditions, the army demonstrated to the rest of the world how it honours its brave hearts.