K9 dog slithering at Leimakhong milistray station (Photo: Defence PRO Kohima)
Kohima: Military working dogs and their handlers from the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army carried out a slithering exercise at the Leimakhong Military Station in Manipur on May 8, 2026, training for rapid heli-borne insertion in operationally demanding conditions.
Five K9 teams participated in the exercise, which focused on aerial deployment techniques, operational coordination and combat readiness – skills that are increasingly critical in counter-insurgency environments such as Manipur, where the army has maintained a significant presence for decades under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.
Slithering, a technique in which personnel descend from a hovering helicopter on a rope, presents particular challenges when working with trained dogs.
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Handlers must manage the animal's composure and coordination while executing the manoeuvre under simulated operational pressure, a task that demands extensive conditioning of both the dog and its handler.
The K9 units of the Indian Army are deployed across a range of missions, including search and rescue operations, explosive detection, disaster management response and the tracking and neutralization of militants in jungle and urban terrain.
In the northeast, where dense forest cover and difficult topography complicate ground operations, dog teams provide a distinct tactical advantage in locating hidden insurgents or improvised explosive devices.
The Red Shield Division, formally the 57 Mountain Division, is headquartered at Leimakhong and is one of the primary formations responsible for counter-insurgency operations in Manipur.
The station has long served as a hub for specialized training activities given its proximity to active operational zones.
“The exercise reflects a broader effort by the army to integrate its K9 assets more tightly with air assets, improving the speed and flexibility with which dog teams can be inserted into remote or inaccessible areas,” an Indian Army official said.
“Such integration is particularly relevant in Manipur's hill districts, where road access is limited and air mobility often determines operational outcomes.”
All About K9 Units of the Indian Army
The Indian Army's K9 units form a specialized corps of military working dogs and their handlers, trained for a wide range of operational and support roles.
Dogs are deployed for explosive detection, tracking of militants, search and rescue operations, disaster management and perimeter security at sensitive installations.
The army primarily uses Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers, each breed selected for specific traits like Malinois for aggression and agility in combat tracking, Labradors for their acute sense of smell in explosive and narcotic detection, and German Shepherds as versatile all-rounders.
K9 units operate across conflict zones including Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, where they provide a critical tactical edge in jungle warfare and counter-insurgency operations.
The Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC), one of the oldest arms of the Indian Army, is responsible for the training, breeding and care of military dogs.
Each handler and dog undergoes rigorous joint training, often forming bonds that last the dog's entire service life.
