'Sniffing terror before it strikes'

The eastern headquarters of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Ranchi has a Dog Training School (DTS) that trains "the K9 sentinels" of the country to safeguard the nation's critical installations. One such canine sentinel trained by the DTS is tracker Rajah, the lone Mudhol hound of the CISF. It now squares its shoulders and patrols the perimeters of the CISF unit at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR), Sriharikota, in Tamil Nadu.

A sighthound, Rajah has hazel eyes and exceptional vision, helping it to detect motion from long distances. A long, tapering muzzle enhances his olfactory capabilities, too, while its elegantly arched, supple neck contributes to his streamlined body, helping him cover large tracts expeditiously during tracking operations. Moreover, the Mudhol hounds are resistant to diseases and can adapt to high temperatures.

Rajah has unwavering loyalty and reticence towards strangers. It also follows orders instantly. The DTS trains dogs for nine rigorous months before they are deployed. During the nine-month training, the handler marries the pup, literally. When they finally graduated from DTS, the dog and its handler were "bonded" and ready for the challenge — Sniff Terror Before It Strikes.

(The writer is a student who grew up on the DTS campus where her father is posted)