Remember Lt Col E.K. Niranjan? Yes, the officer who laid down his life during the Pathankot terror attack. He was a member of the NSG’s Bomb Disposal Squad, who was killed while he was defusing a grenade at the Pathankot air base during combing operations.
Turns out, the martyr is now recommended for a gallantry award! Lt Col Niranjan EK has been recommended for a Shaurya Chakra, the second highest of peacetime gallantry awards, along with two other commandos.
Niranjan’s lungs got punctured due to the impact of the blast of a grenade that was kept in the pocket of a slain terrorist and the officer died before being taken to hospital.
Not only this, in probably a first, the elite commando force NSG has recommended its dog Rocket for military gallantry medal for his role in eliminating terrorists who attacked the Pathankot air base early this year. The specially trained canine has been recommended for a Sena medal.
The two-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois dog and his handler have been recommended for bravery decoration by the National Security Guard headquarters for displaying “raw courage and dedication to duty” in the face of extreme threat and danger as reported by the PTI. Rocket had walked into a burning airmen billet on the direction of his master and brought back a pouch that indicated presence of militants inside.
While there have been few instances when Army dogs have been honoured with military medals, this is the first for NSG which was established in 1984 as the federal contingency force. Army dogs have shown grit determination in par with their handlers in the face of enemy.
Rocket is an assault dog that hunts for people in hiding, but is also trained to sniff out explosives. Dogs like Rocket are paid between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 a month, which is spent on their food and medical expenses. Decorated dogs continue to get their salaries after retirement.
“Rocket loves rice and chicken. If the dog wins the award it will be looked after well and can continue to enjoy the delicacy even after retirement and live in a separate home instead of being auctioned among dog lovers,” an NSG official said.
A final decision on this will however be taken by a Union Home Ministry-appointed committee which clears names of recipients of these medals. The list is expected to be finalised before the next Independence Day.
