CIAL inducts Army-trained dogs into bomb squad

Cochin International Airport (CIAL) has become the first greenfield airport in the country to induct two sniffer dogs into its bomb detection and disposal squad.

CIAL managing director S Bharath told reporters on Tuesday that the services of specially-trained sniffer dogs would play a crucial role in maintaining aviation security in the fast-growing airport. The dogs are trained to identify all varieties of explosives including RDX, sheet explosive, plastic and liquid explosives.

The dogs will be pressed into service during bomb-threat calls. They will check all suspicious baggage and unattended cargo and also ensure VVIP security, CISF commandant Rajeev Pant said.

The three-year-old Labrador’ females named Rambhi and Paro, costing Rs 1.25 lakh each, have the best ‘academic background.’

CIAL MD S Bharath and senior manager (security) Muraleedharan Nair, had requested the Army Headquarters to provide sniffer dogs trained by Army personnel. The sustained requests from the CIAL proved fruitful when the Army Headquarters finally agreed to hand over the sniffer dogs. The decision of the Army Headquarters to sell sniffer dogs which were trained in internationally acclaimed US standard to an outside agency is a unique one.

A selection committee consisting of SPG veterinary surgeon Dr Popli, CISF Deputy commandant D V Yadav and CIAL senior manager (security) Muraleedharan Nair short-listed 15 dogs from 250 trained dogs at Remount Veterinary College (RVC), Meerut which is rated as the best dogtraining college in Asia.

Dogs Rambhi and Paro were chosen when they got cent per cent pass in all the tests. A team comprising CISF constables Solaman Raja, S S Bhagath and inspector P S Baburaj were given training at RVC, Meerut to handle the dogs, Airport director A C K Nair said.

The dogs were brought to Kochi Airport by an Air Sahara flight from Meerut. CIAL has also purchased two pups which are being trained by Indo- Tibetan Boarder Police (ITBP) at Haryana, as part of augmenting the strength of the dog squad and ensuring maximum security to the passengers.

The dogs will join the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad within six months. Two CISF personnel are also undergoing training in Haryana to handle the new dogs, Bharath said.

A state-of-the-art air-conditioned kennel, spending Rs 20 lakh, was constructed at the airport to accommodate the dogs. Bomb detection and disposal squad with ultra-modern equipments, Quick Reaction Team, Anti- hijacking Squad are already functioning at the airport.

With the induction of sniffer dogs, Kochi airport would be a well-secured airport in the country, A C K Nair added.

newindpress