They are an indispensable part of the Border Security Force's border observation posts, checking infiltration and other crimes across the international border besides patrolling with the troops.
They are not sniffer dogs, but the likes of Tiger, Tom, Bhola and others are just stray dogs doing an invaluable service along the Indo-Bangla border.
There is on average at least three such stray dogs in each BoP. They survive on the food of BSF lungar (kitchen) or nearby houses of civilians, BSF DIG Ravi Gandhi said.
The dogs stay with the troops in BSF camps, operation (OP) and naka points, often serving as an early warning agent. They also form a crucial part of the patrolling teams. They give indication (like barking) whenever any stranger/smuggler approaches near the naka (check) point or BSF camp.
It also supports BSF troops in case of need in the form of becoming a party to BSF and creating fear in the minds of miscreants and anti-national elements, the BSF officer said.
So deep is the bond between the jawans and the desi dogs in their BoPs that there are even instances when the BSF battalions, when transferred or deployed in other places, carry these dogs along with them.
They constantly keep their watchful eyes and monitor any unusual movement. There have been a lot of instances when the troops were alerted by these dogs about intruders entering from across the border or smugglers attempting to cross the border, a jawan in a BoP, who often spends his leisure in training and playing with Moti and Kalu, said.
The dogs, officials said, develop these detective traits gradually as they watch the activities of their masters.
"The global recession had its impact on pets in some western countries as people considered dogs as an expendable luxury.But here you are getting their service without any extra cost," an official said.
