Army’s K9 units steal the show at PRAGATI

By Our Reporter

SHILLONG, May 26: The Indian Army’s K9 units took centre stage on Tuesday during the ongoing Exercise PRAGATI 2026 at Umroi, demonstrat-
ing their operational capabilities along-
side troops from 12 friendly nations.

The maiden edition of the multina-
tional joint military exercise has entered
an intensive phase, involving over 400
personnel. The K9 units displayed spe-
cialised skills in explosive detection,
tracking, and intervention.

Key participants included Alan, a
Belgian Malinois assault dog; Victor, a
Rampur Hound tracker; and Deo, a Lab-
rador specialised in explosive detection.
A major highlight was the inclusion of
Victor, an indigenous Rampur Hound.
Known for its resilience and adaptabil-
ity, the breed’s participation reflects the
Army’s focus on integrating indigenous
breeds under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’
initiative.

The exercise also featured robotic
dogs, highlighting the integration of
advanced technology with traditional
K9 units to enhance battlefield capa-
bilities. Military officials noted that
these units remain vital for operations
across diverse terrains, from deserts to
glaciers.

Exercise PRAGATI 2026, which
began on May 20 and concludes on May
31, aims to strengthen tactical coordi-
nation, regional security, and defense
cooperation.

The engagement provides a plat-
form for participating armies to share
operational best practices and improve
interoperability.