IITA, Moinabad hosts passing out parade for 72 canines and 101 handlers

Hyderabad: A total of 72 canines and 101 handlers successfully completed the 24th batch of the All India Level Canine Basic Induction Course at the Integrated Intelligence Training Academy (IITA), Moinabad, on Friday. The passing out parade, attended by the Director General of Intelligence, B. Shivadhar Reddy, marked the culmination of an intensive eight-month training program, where the canines and their handlers showcased their skills and readiness for key roles in law enforcement.

The graduating canines included 36 Labrador Retrievers, 8 German Shepherds, and 28 Belgian Malinois. Trained in specialized fields such as explosives detection, narcotics detection, liquor detection, tracking, and assault operations, these canines play an essential role in safeguarding public safety. Handlers from various state and central police units, including Telangana, Bihar, Goa, Tripura, CISF, RGIA, and RPF, accompanied the canines, further enhancing the strength of law enforcement teams across the country.

During the ceremony, the Director General of Intelligence, B. Shivadhar Reddy, expressed his admiration for the dedication of both the canines and their handlers. He highlighted the critical role these units play in operations ranging from anti-sabotage tasks to narcotics control and bomb threat responses, praising their contributions to strengthening law enforcement across India.

Since its establishment in 2004, the Canine Training Centre at IITA has trained 843 canines and 1,205 handlers. The rigorous training ensures that the canine units are equipped to handle the most demanding law enforcement tasks, including VIP security, crime investigations, and counter-terrorism operations.

Shivadhar Reddy also commended the performance of the Telangana Police canine teams at the 68th All India Level Police Duty Meet in Ranchi, Jharkhand, where they topped the medal tally with six gold, four silver, and eight bronze medals, securing the prestigious Charminar Trophy for overall championship. Notably, "Teja," a narcotics detection dog from Cyberabad, trained at IITA, won a bronze medal and helped contribute to the team securing the Runner’s Trophy.

As part of the Passing Out Parade, the newly trained canines and their handlers showcased a series of impressive demonstrations, including the Namaste Drill, Obedience Drill, Seek Far Find, Mathematics Class Demo, Silent Drill, Cross Walk, Murder Scene of Offence, Paper Drill, Balloon Popping, Scent Identification, Tug of War, Vehicle Jump, Monkey Walk, Running Race with Tyre, Feeding Catch, Hurdle Jump with Fire, Namaste Drill on Moving Vehicle, Luggage Search, Blind Rope Walk, Open Bite, and Agility Obstacles.

These performances showed the canines' exceptional training, coordination, and agility, reaffirming their significant role in modern policing. The Director General of Intelligence highlighted the need for continuous improvement in training methods and technology to keep pace with evolving criminal activities. He also praised the strong bond between handlers and their canine partners, noting that a well-trained canine is not just a tool but a loyal companion and protector.

Concluding his address, Shivadhar Reddy urged the new canine units and their handlers to serve with dedication and honor, bringing pride to their forces and contributing to national security.

Intelligence Security Wing (ISW) DIG Tafseer Iqubal elaborated on the significance of the training program, highlighting its importance for enhancing security operations. Prizes for exceptional performance were awarded by the Director General of Intelligence. The event was also attended by IITA Principal K. Aravind Rao, ISW SP Manik Raj, and other senior officers.