In a tragic loss during the country’s largest coordinated anti-Maoist operation to date, a two-year-old sniffer dog of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), named Rolo, died after being stung nearly 200 times by a swarm of bees in the dense Korgotalu hills bordering Chhattisgarh and Telangana.
Rolo, a Belgian Shepherd, was the only casualty reported from the security forces’ side during the intense 21-day anti-Maoist mission that concluded on May 11. The brave canine was killed in action on April 27 while leading a search team to detect explosives and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in a region known for its treacherous terrain, wild animals, and Maoist hideouts.
According to senior officials, Rolo was performing her duty in the forested region of Bijapur district (Chhattisgarh) and Mulugu district (Telangana) when a sudden swarm of bees attacked the CRPF unit. Handlers quickly tried to protect Rolo using a polythene sheet, but bees managed to get through and stung her repeatedly. Overwhelmed by pain and panic, Rolo broke free from the cover and became exposed to even more stings.
She was stung around 200 times and collapsed unconscious. Despite immediate efforts to evacuate and administer emergency care, Rolo succumbed to her injuries on the way to a medical facility. She was declared brought dead by the CRPF veterinarians.
Rolo had been inducted into CRPF’s anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh in April 2023 after completing her training at the CRPF canine training centre in Taralu, near Bengaluru, Karnataka. She was a vital part of the bomb detection squad and had been actively deployed in high-risk zones.
As a mark of honour, the CRPF Director General posthumously awarded Rolo a commendation medal for her bravery and service in combat conditions.
The 21-day offensive by CRPF and Chhattisgarh Police dealt a heavy blow to Maoist insurgents, with 31 militants reported killed. Eighteen troops were injured during the operation, some of whom had to undergo amputations due to blast injuries.
The Korgotalu hills, thick with vegetation, water bodies, and caves, serve as a strategic sanctuary for Maoist operatives. The terrain poses challenges not just from enemy combatants, but also from the natural environment, as tragically demonstrated in Rolo’s case.
Rolo’s sacrifice has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from across the country, highlighting the crucial and often perilous role of canine soldiers in India’s security operations.
Sources By Agencies
