New Delhi: France will have approximately 30,000 police officers daily for the Olympics, which will run from July 26 to August 11. Over 40,000 officers will be assigned for the opening ceremony on the Seine River in Paris. In addition to the police presence, about 18,000 military personnel are contributing to the security efforts, with thousands stationed in a specially constructed camp on the outskirts of Paris.
India’s representation at the Paris 2024 Olympics is significant, with 117 athletes and 140 staff and officials. Beyond the human contingent, ten specially-trained Indian Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and commando force dogs have been deployed to France. This deployment is a testament to India’s commitment to enhancing security at the Olympics, providing counter-terrorist and anti-sabotage coverage at various Olympic venues.
These K9 teams, composed of handlers from central armed police forces like the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), National Security Guard (NSG) and Assam Rifles, have received special 10-week training for this unique collaboration between the Indian and French governments. The teams will undertake sniffing and patrolling duties at the event venues.
In this article, let us explore more about this K9 team that will be presented in France during the Paris Olympics.
About the Paris Olympics 2024 K9 Unit
The K9 dogs belong to the Belgian Malinois breed. This breed undertakes infantry patrol and anti-sabotage sniffer tasks to detect bombs, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and troublemakers in various internal security theatres of the country, such as anti-Naxal operations and counter-terrorism operations.
The handlers of the ten canine teams have undergone refresher physical training from a special capsule of basics of the French language for the Olympics task.
The squad includes five-year-old CRPF canine Vast and three-year-old Denby.
They were chosen for this task after stringent tests were conducted at the CRPF dog breeding and training school in Taralu near Bengaluru, Karnataka. The selection process involved evaluating the dogs’ physical fitness, obedience, and ability to detect explosives and suspicious human presence.
This dog team will be deployed according to the requirements of the French Police and other security agencies. This deployment is part of the security cooperation between India and France.
The handlers are wearing their regular combat uniform, with a patch of the Indian flag on their chest and another on their shoulder. These patches symbolise the international cooperation between India and France in ensuring the security of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This cooperation includes sharing security intelligence, joint training exercises, and coordinated deployment strategies.
About Belgian Malinois
The Belgian Malinois is a versatile, loyal, and hardworking breed. Developed in the Belgian city of Malines in the 1800s, the canine was initially trained to herd sheep.
The Malinois, a litter of an Israeli male Malinois crossed with an American bitch, rose to fame when it was reported that the dogs assisted US special forces in sniffing out Osama Bin Laden’s hideout in Abbottabad in Pakistan in 2011.
The dog has a heavy snout and a big head.
They can detect suspicious human presence and IEDs with precision.
This breed’s intelligence is further demonstrated by its unique communication skills. Instead of barking, which could alert the target, the Belgian Malinois communicates suspicious human presence and IEDs through a nod of its head, showing its ability to maintain stealth and precision in security operations.
About K9 Unit
The Indian Customs K9 establishment operates as a vital uniformed support service under the Directorate of Logistics, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
Within the department, the K9 establishment encompasses the comprehensive framework governing the Customs Detection Dog Squads (K9 Squads) and the Customs K9 Centres (CCCs).
Specifically, a K9 Squad encompasses all K9 units within a Commissionerate, with each K9 Unit comprised of a Detector Dog and its Handler.
The primary objective of the K9 establishment is to enhance the department’s capabilities in detecting and preventing smuggling activities, thereby contributing to the preservation of national security. This is particularly crucial in the specific deployment areas, including border crossings and other vulnerable entry points.
A special team of Indian soldiers, including the K9 unit and the Belgian Malinois, will guard the Paris 2024 Olympics starting July 26. In this article, we will explore their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the event’s safety and security. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
