Assam Rifles to induct Indian dog breeds under Atmanirbhar Bharat push

Key facts

• Assam Rifles will induct Indian dog breeds into its squad as part of the central government’s indigenisation drive.
• The Tangkhul Hui breed from Manipur has already been introduced as a pilot project.
• The Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu will begin induction in April.
• Full induction of both breeds is expected by March 2027.
• Training will be conducted at the Rifles Dog Training Centre (ARDTC) in Jorhat, Assam.
• The ARDTC currently houses 104 dogs and 174 handlers in various stages of training.
• Assam Rifles currently operates 253 dogs against an authorised strength of 344 across Northeast and Jammu & Kashmir.
• The force has four breeds: Labrador, German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, and Tangkhul Hui.
• Six Tangkhul Hui dogs inducted in 2022 are deployed in narcotics detection.
• Selected handlers receive advanced training at CRPF Bengaluru and the Remount Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut.