Army's assault dog, injured during encounter in J-K's Anantnag on Oct 10, succumbs

Srinagar: Army’s assault dog ‘Zoom’, who was critically injured early this week during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, succumbed here on Thursday, officials said.

The officials said Zoom was under treatment at Advance Field Veterinary Hospital (AFVH) here, but succumbed around noon.

“Zoom’s condition was improving and the canine was responding well to the treatment. The dog looked fine till around noon after which it suddenly started gasping and soon collapsed,” the officials said.

Zoom was two years and one-month-old Malinois or Belgian shepherd breed who was active in the service for the last eight months, they said.

The canine was highly trained, ferocious, and committed. Had been trained to locate and bring down terrorists, they added.

Zoom was injured in the encounter in the Tangpawa area of the south Kashmir district on Monday.

Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation in the Tangpawa area after receiving specific input about the presence of terrorists there.

On Monday, Zoom, as usual, was tasked to clear the house where terrorists were hiding, they said.

However, during the operation, the canine received two gunshots and was critically injured, the officials said.

"Zoom identified and attacked the terrorists during which the canine received two gunshots," they said.

The officials, however, said the canine kept on fighting and performing his task which resulted in the killing of two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists.

"Inspite of severe injuries, the brave soldier continued his task which resulted in the neutralisation of two terrorists," they added.

Zoom was rushed to the Army's Vet Hospital where he succumbed today.

Zoom had been part of many active operations in south Kashmir, they added.