On July 30, Army Assault Canine Dog ‘Axel’ laid down his life in the line of duty during a counter-terrorism operation at Wanigambala, district Baramulla, Kashmir. Axel was providing services to clear a building when he was shot three times.
Alex, who was only two-years-old light-brown Belgian Malinois, was part of the 26 Army Dog Unit. He was deployed with 29 Rashtriya Rifles units in the area of 10 Sector RR counter-insurgency forces. On Saturday, he, along with another Army Dog, ‘Balaji’, was part of the operation. Initially, Balaji was sent for building intervention. He sanitised the corridor inside. Following Balaji, Axel went inside the first room and cleared it. However, when he entered the second room, the terrorists fired shots at him. Reportedly for 15 seconds, he showed some movements but then fell down.
#ChinarCorps salutes the valour & sacrifice of Army Assault Canine Dog ‘Axel’ who laid down his life in the line of duty in Op Wanigambala, #Baramulla on 30 Jul 22.#Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/UrIwfF642X
— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) July 30, 2022
The operation continued for some time between the troops and terrorists. Lone terrorist Akhtar Hussain Bhat was killed in the encounter, and two Army officials along with a Police Personnel were injured. Once the 5-hour-long operation was over, Axel’s mortal remains were retrieved from the building and were sent to the 54 Armed Force Veterinary Hospital for post-mortem. As per reports, there were ten additional wounds and a fracture of the femur apart from bullet entry and exit wounds. In a statement, the Army officials informed that his wreath laying ceremony was scheduled for Sunday by the Force Commander.
Well-trained assault dogs like Axel are used to tear into the hiding locations of the militants. They are trained to cause fatal injuries to the terrorists. Officials said Axel was an efficient K9 official and had been part of several successful operations in the past.
#Condolence#ArmyCdrNC condoles the death of Assault Dog ‘Axel’. Axel made the supreme sacrifice in an operation at #Pattan on 30 July 2022.
— NORTHERN COMMAND – INDIAN ARMY (@NorthernComd_IA) July 30, 2022
A real hero in service to the #Nation. #Salute @adgpi @DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD @OfficeOfLGJandK @ChinarcorpsIA@DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/0VnZMk7UTg
The officials said these trained dogs, when laced with cameras, also help in determining the accurate positions of the terrorists along with other details like weapons and ammunition that the terrorists have. An official told News 18, Drones give us an overview of a building or a house where militants are trapped, but they don’t give us specifics inside a house or an annexe. The dogs come in handy and help us in operations where room intervention is required.”
The trainer of Axel was shattered seeing his mortal remains. A video of the trainer surfaced on social media where he was seen sitting next to Axel, stroking him. He said, “He took three bullets.” An official said, “We had recently taken him to an encounter site in the Tulibal area of Sopore. Two militants were killed there, and he did his bit. The entire unit is sad.”
Indian Army’s sniffer dog Axel laid down his life in the line of duty during an operation against Jihadi terrorists in Baramulla, of Jammu Kashmir. Axel was hit by the 3 bullets fired by the terrorists.
— Major Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) July 31, 2022
Tribute & Salute to Warrior 🌺🙏 pic.twitter.com/SvZMAQ39q9
On Sunday (July 31), the ceremony took place at the Kilo Force Commander and later, he was buried at 26 ADU Premises.
Baramulla, J&K | Last respects being paid to the Indian Army’s dog, Axel, who lost its life in action after being hit by a bullet in an operation yesterday pic.twitter.com/72Wjx1XAEg
— ANI (@ANI) July 31, 2022
Netizens pay respect to Axel
Following the reports of Axel’s demise, Netizens paid respect to him on Social Media. Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon (Rtrd) said, “Salute Axel… You did your duty well. Jai Hind.”
Salute
— KJS DHILLON🇮🇳 (@Tiny_Dhillon) July 30, 2022
Axel … You did your duty well 🙏💐
Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/dpoyAqkfga
Twitter user Anshul Saxena said, “Indian Army’s dog Axel laid down his life in the line of duty in an anti-terrorist operation at Wanigam Bala in Baramulla, J&K. Om Shanti. Axel was hit by 3 bullets by the hiding terrorists. One terrorist Akhtar Hussain Bhat killed in an anti-terrorist operation.”
Indian Army’s dog Axel laid down his life in the line of duty in an anti-terrorist operation at Wanigam Bala in Baramulla, J&K. Om Shanti.
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) July 30, 2022
Axel was hit by 3 bullets by the hiding terrorists.
One terrorist Akhtar Hussain Bhat killed in an anti-terrorist operation. pic.twitter.com/0ZqUyDx9pZ
BJP National Secretary Sunil Deodhar said, “Goodbye Axel. Salute to his supreme sacrifice, a real hero in service to the Nation. Om Shanti
अलविदा “Axel”🙏🏻🇮🇳
— Sunil Deodhar (@Sunil_Deodhar) July 31, 2022
Salute to his supreme sacrifice, a real hero in service to the #Nation. ॐ शांति pic.twitter.com/U4YgeC2vpd
