Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
When soldiers moved towards a suspected terrorist hideout in Jammu and Kashmir earlier this year, it was not a human soldier who went in first.
It was Tyson.
The German Shepherd, an assault dog attached to the Army’s 2 Para Special Forces, crawled ahead towards a mud house where terrorists were believed to be hiding. As he moved closer, the terrorists opened fire. Tyson was hit in the leg.
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But he did not retreat.
Instead, he continued moving forward, drawing fire towards himself and helping the troops identify the terrorists’ position. The information gave the security forces the confirmation they needed to close in on the hideout.
Months later, Tyson has received an official recognition for that courage.
On the eve of India’s 80th Independence Day, President Droupadi Murmu approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches for personnel of the armed forces. The list includes Army Dog Tyson of the Remount Veterinary Corps, 2 Para (Special Forces), under Operation Rakshak.
THE ARMY DOG WHO WENT AHEAD OF THE TROOPS
Tyson’s story came into focus after an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district in February.
During the operation in the Chhatroo belt, Tyson was deployed with the 2 Para Special Forces team and led the search towards a suspected terrorist hideout. According to the Army’s account, the canine moved ahead of the troops and helped pinpoint the location of the terrorists.
As Tyson approached the mud house, the terrorists opened fire and struck him in the leg.
The injury, however, did not stop him.
Tyson continued forward and drew more fire, effectively exposing the position from which the terrorists were shooting. That gave the troops the information they needed to engage the hideout.
Three Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were subsequently killed in the operation. One of them was identified as Saifullah Baloch, a senior JeM commander who had allegedly infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir years earlier and was wanted in connection with attacks on security forces.
Tyson was injured but survived and was given medical treatment. It’s not just Tyson. Several other animals have been serving the country with immense loyalty, discipline and courage. This army bird is one such remarkable example.
WHO IS TYSON?
Tyson is not a pet who happens to accompany soldiers.
He is an Army assault dog, trained for high-risk operations and attached to the elite 2 Para Special Forces. His role is to move into situations where a human soldier may be exposed to immediate danger – locating hidden terrorists, detecting threats and helping troops establish the enemy’s position.
An earlier India Today report on India’s military K9 units highlighted how dogs are trained for precisely these situations. Their acute sense of smell, agility and ability to operate in difficult terrain make them particularly valuable during counter-terror operations. Military dogs are trained from a young age and develop a close bond with their handlers, with whom they live and work during deployment.
Tyson’s actions in Kishtwar demonstrated one of the most dangerous aspects of their role: they can become the first point of contact between the security forces and an armed threat.
78 GALLANTRY AWARDS, 89 MENTION-IN-DESPATHCHES
The President has approved 78 gallantry awards this Independence Day, including Kirti Chakras, Shaurya Chakras, Sena Medals, Nao Sena Medals and Vayu Sena Medals. Of these, 13 are posthumous.
Separately, 89 personnel have been recognised through Mention-in-Despatches – 75 from the Army, four from the Navy and 10 from the Air Force.
Tyson’s name appears in that second list.
A Mention-in-Despatches is a formal recognition of an individual for an act or acts of gallantry or distinguished service in operational circumstances. Tyson’s inclusion is significant because it puts an official mark on the contribution of military working dogs, whose work often remains away from public view.
And Tyson is not the first Army dog to receive such recognition.
Tyson is part of a long line of four-legged soldier. India’s military K9s have repeatedly played critical roles in counter-terror operations.
In 2022, Belgian Malinois Zoom was deployed during an operation in Anantnag. Despite suffering gunshot wounds, Zoom engaged terrorists and helped soldiers neutralise the threats before succumbing to his injuries. He was posthumously awarded a Mention-in-Despatches on Republic Day 2023.
Another Belgian Malinois, Phantom, died in October 2024 after charging towards terrorists who had ambushed an Army convoy in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector. His actions bought soldiers crucial time during the operation. Phantom was posthumously recognised with a Mention-in-Despatches in 2025.
Axel, a Belgian Malinois from the 26 Army Dog Unit, was killed during an operation in Baramulla in 2022 after alerting troops to terrorists concealed in the area. He too was awarded a Mention-in-Despatches posthumously.
Then there was Kent, a Labrador Retriever who died in 2023 after shielding her handler from gunfire during an encounter in Rajouri. Mansi, another Labrador, was killed in 2015 after detecting terrorists in Kupwara.
Their stories underline the risks faced by India’s military dogs – animals trained to detect danger, move into hostile territory and, when necessary, put themselves between their handlers and the threat.
Unlike Zoom, Phantom, Axel, Kent and Mansi, Tyson returned from his operation alive.
The bullet that struck his leg did not end his mission. Instead, he continued forward and helped expose the terrorists’ position.
Now, on India’s 80th Independence Day, his name appears in an official list alongside soldiers and officers who have been recognised for their service in operational areas.
Tyson may not wear a uniform or carry a weapon. But on the day India honours those who have served in the line of duty, the Army dog from 2 Para Special Forces has received a place of his own in the country’s record of courage.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
