Assam Rifles has incorporated the indigenous dog breed Tangkhul Hui, also known as Haofa, into its dog squads as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. This initiative was prompted by a directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs, led by Amit Shah, requiring all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to include two Indian dog breeds. Currently, six Tangkhul Hui dogs have been trained and are serving in narcotics detection roles, according to Lt Col Alok Palei from the Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre in Jorhat. The breed, named after the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Manipur, is noted for its hardiness and resilience to diseases, making it well-suited for diverse climates and terrains.
In addition to the Tangkhul Hui, Assam Rifles is also set to induct the Kombai breed from Tamil Nadu, with the induction expected to occur in April. The force is maintaining a parent stock of 10 Kombai dogs for this purpose. Assam Rifles boasts an authorized strength of 344 dogs in its units, with 253 of these currently deployed. The canine teams have a strong record, having received over 140 medals from the Central Government for their effectiveness in tracking and detecting explosives and narcotics. New dogs undergo a comprehensive training regimen, starting with 12 weeks of basic training followed by an extensive 36 weeks of advanced training.
The force employs approximately 1,200 dog handlers, among which is PV Seelakshmi from Kannur, Kerala, recognized as the first woman dog handler in Assam Rifles. Her pioneering role has inspired eight additional women soldiers, who are presently training to become dog handlers at the Jorhat center.
