Four sniffer dogs of the Nepali Army have been deployed in the United Nations mission.
The army started to deploy the special guard (peace forces) in the United Nations Support Mission in Lybia (UNSMIL) since October 3, 2017. Currently, there are four trainned dogs working in Libya.
A Labrador (breed) dog named Kilo arrived in Libya on October 30, 2020. He has been posted there with the Nepali Army for ammunition and explosives work. But Rex had arrived in Libya prior to Kilo. Rex is also a Labrador breed. It also works in the sector of arms and explosives. Rex has been working there since October 3, 2017.
Another dog working along with them is Jack. It is a German shepherd. Jack reached Libya on February 12, 2022 and has been posted there as a guard. Similarly, Balu, the fourth dog, also reached Libya in last February.
In the year 2055 BS, after some military dogs were received as a gift from India, a dog platoon was created under the unit of Nepali Army in the UNSMIL. During the period of conflict, the platoon was upgraded as a canine company. It was renamed as Bhairav Vahan Company in 2060 BS.
Bhairav Vahan Company, the only canine unit of the Nepali Army, is currently deploying trained military dogs. The military has trained military dogs of the German Shepherd, Labrador, Cocker Spaniel, Belgian Malinois, and Golden Retriever breeds. The army has been using them for sniffing, search and rescue, tracking, guarding and patrolling.
Military spokesman Narayan Silwal said that most of the military operations have been successful with the help of trained military dogs. Currently, military dogs are being used to detect arms and explosives, early warning, crowd control, search, mine and booby trap detection, and drug detection.
According to the army's canine company, dogs detect faster than humans in such actions. In Nepal, in various ceremonies and programs participated by special people such as VVIPs, sniffer dogs are used to ensure safety. According to security agencies, the use of trained sniffer dogs is becoming mandatory.
Earlier in Nepal too, the army has achieved significant achievements with the help of dogs. On September 16, 2003, when the Ramche post of the Nepali Army in Rasuwa was washed away by a landslide, the security personnel, arms and military supplies were discovered by the military dog. The army also used sniffer dogs to track down the people trapped in the debris in the mega earthquake of 2015.
Similarly, the army said that the dogs have done a commendable job in controlling illegal poaching and smuggling in the Chitwan National Park. Canine Company has informed that the dogs stationed in Libya in the peacekeeping mission have discovered the weapons and explosives hidden by the rebels. They have done great jobs there.
The army has also been giving modern training to the dogs according to the times. Spokesman Silwal said that there is a plan to expand the area of military dogs in the Nepali Army. The United Nations also provides facilities for dogs used in peacekeeping missions.
