ITBP dog detects hidden IED as part of R-Day security drill

New Delhi: To a well-trained security dog, nothing is more exciting than finding a bomb. And 'Nancy'--a Labrador who is part of ITBP dog squad-- did not let security personnel down on Friday when she quickly detected an explosive, her tail wagging and looking towards her handler. The four-year-old canine was tasked to find a hidden IED.

Nancy was part of the tight security drill that is in place ahead of the main Republic Day parade here on January 26. As part of a mock drill, the Improvised Explosive Device(IED) was concealed near the under-construction main VVIP dais at the India Gate lawns. Officials said the bomb was planted by the Prime Minister's security wing as part of the drill to check the prepardness of various agencies on January 26.

They said the dog easily detected the presence of the dummy IED, wrapped in explosive material, kept beneath a stairway which is part of the dais for VVIPs to be seated on the Republic Day.

"She communicated the alert to her handler and sat down. The PM security team was all praise for the sniffer," they said. The dog is part of a team of about 20 ITBP canines which have been deployed to secure the event and main areas on Rajpath.

Security has been put at an all-time high in view of threat emanating not only from terror groups but also by concealed IEDs for the national event where French President Francois Hollande will be the chief guest in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The top government, political and seurity brass will be also in attendance besides thousands of members of the public. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police(ITBP) has deployed an assortment of its special canines ranging from the Belgian 'Malinois' to Labradors to work with the dog units of other forces and agencies for ensuring a highly secure event.