Brave Indian Army Dog Phantom killed in action during anti-terror operation in J&K's Akhnoor

On Monday morning, a gunfight broke out between terrorists and security forces in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu, near the Line of Control. The clash began around 7 am when terrorists attacked an ambulance that was part of an army convoy in the Battal area, approximately 85 km from Jammu city. 

During the eight-hour battle, an Indian Army dog named Phantom, a Belgian Malinois, lost his life. Phantom was an assault dog, specially trained for military operations. As the army closed in on the trapped terrorists, Phantom bravely drew enemy fire, which led to his fatal injuries. The White Knight Corps shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting Phantom’s courage and loyalty. So far, one terrorist has been neutralized, and weapons were recovered from the scene.

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Recent terror attacks

Phantom had been serving since August 12, 2022, after being issued from the Remount and Veterinary Corps Centre in Meerut. Army dogs like Phantom are equipped with special gadgets that help them gather information on enemy positions.

Reports suggest that three terrorists were involved in this gunfight. The one killed during the encounter was dressed similarly to army personnel, raising suspicions that he was linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist group. 

This incident follows a series of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir over the past two weeks, which have claimed more than a dozen lives. On October 24, terrorists attacked army trucks carrying Rashtriya Rifles personnel and civilian porters near Gulmarg, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers and two civilian porters. Earlier, on October 20, seven people, including a doctor and six migrant workers, were killed at a construction site in Sonamarg, Ganderbal district. Additionally, a migrant worker from Bihar was attacked just two days before that. The security situation in the region remains tense as forces continue to combat these threats.