Sniffer dogs and their handlers get ready for G20 duty: Will guard airport, hotels and venues

“The newly trained dogs arrived earlier this month and include breeds such as Belgian Malinois, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Alsatians. They underwent an intensive six-month-long training at the ITBP camp and have now been deputed across several districts. Some are undergoing mock drills at the canine squad headquarters in Model Town,” said an officer.

A majority of these dogs are explosive detection dogs, while the rest are tracker dogs and for detecting narcotics.

A senior police officer part of the squad, said, “The dogs will be deployed along with two handlers each as part of the anti-sabotage check team during the Summit. They will be deployed round-the-clock outside the airport, hotels where the dignitaries will be staying, and places they will visit. We are regularly holding mock drills with them to sniff out any suspicious items in suitcases, cavalcades, along the routes to be taken by the vehicles and in areas outside and inside the hotels.”

Officers said the canines will also be deployed at crucial locations such as Rajghat, Connaught Place and near India Gate as part of the security brief. “Currently, there are 115 handlers in the Delhi Police’s canine squad. A request was made to depute more as several officers are on G20 duty other than with the dog squad…,” said another officer.

Officers said the handlers are also being briefed. “Since handlers were already present with the dogs during their training period, they have a better understanding of the canines and will be able to sense if the dog detects anything suspicious… These dogs will be deployed across the G20 venue in Pragati Maidan and across VVIP areas,” said an officer.

This was Delhi Police’s largest procurement of canines since the 2010 Commonwealth Games. “A strict diet is being maintained for the dogs; they are fed milk, meat, rice and vegetables. We are ensuring they get proper nutrition and rest in the run-up to the big event,” said an officer.