Army honours sniffer dog Phantom, fallen hero in Akhnoor encounter

The Indian Army on Wednesday held a wreath-laying ceremony in Udhampur to honor Phantom, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois sniffer dog who sacrificed his life while protecting soldiers during an encounter with terrorists in the Akhnoor sector.
Phantom, a member of the Army’s canine unit, sustained fatal injuries on Monday as he shielded troops during a counter-ambush operation in the dense jungles of Battal, Jammu and Kashmir. Draped in the national flag and adorned with wreaths, the brave canine’s final journey was marked by a solemn tribute from Army personnel, who gathered to salute his courage.
“Phantom’s bravery saved lives and was pivotal to the operation’s success. His sacrifice will be remembered with honor,” stated the Defence PRO. The White Knight Corps also shared a tribute on X, saying, “His sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Phantom, born in May 2020, was trained at the Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre and deployed to Jammu and Kashmir in August 2022. His service included numerous high-stakes operations, demonstrating his exceptional skill and dedication.
In the Akhnoor encounter, Phantom’s actions were instrumental in containing heavily armed terrorists, three of whom were killed in the two-day operation. The Indian Army continues to remember and honour Phantom as a true hero whose loyalty and bravery exemplified the spirit of sacrifice in the line of duty.