CHOCOLATES AND BONES FOR LIFE
A border police dog and horse were honoured with medals for a lifetime of gallant service in Greater Noida on Monday. Among other perks, lifelong supply of chocolates and bones await the winners of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) honours
AND THE WINNERS ARE...
THUNDERSTORM: The seven-year-old horse was conferred the ITBP AT (animal transport) medal. Thunderstorm has been pivotal for the survival of soldiers at the border where the temperature drops to -50 degrees Celsius. He leads ponies, mules and yaks from one camp to another for the transportation of arms, ammunition as well as ration and water. He has won seven medals in the past 12 months. SOFIA: The three-year-old dog was conferred the ITBP K9 medal which has never been given to any animal with any force before. She won recognition as the best explosion detector among all animals in any defence force. The award jury consisted of senior officials from not only the ITBP, but also the Army, Navy, Air Force, the BSF and the CISF. Sofia has detected bombs in the Maoist-affected areas of Chhattisgarh more often than any other animal. She has been part of the security detail for visiting US President Barack Obama, among other dignitaries.