The Indian Army, on Monday, said a four-year-old Army dog died after being hit by a bullet from terrorists during an encounter in the Akhnoor sector of the Jammu region.
The courage, loyalty and dedication of the canine—Phantom—will never be forgotten, the Army said.
The Army's Jammu-based White Knight Corps said in a post on X, "We salute the supreme sacrifice of our true hero—a valiant Indian Army dog, Phantom."
"As our troops were closing in on the trapped terrorists, Phantom drew enemy fire, sustaining fatal injuries," it added.
Born on May 25, 2020, the male Belgian Malinois was an assault dog. Phantom was posted with a unit on August 12, 2022, after graduating from Remount Veterinary Corps in Meerut of Uttar Pradesh.
According to media reports, ever since his induction into the Unit, Phantom has been part of several high-stake missions.
Phantom was trained in tracking, detection, and assault.
Three terrorists were killed in the 27-hour gunfight near the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The slain militants are believed to have infiltrated from across the border on Sunday night before appearing outside a temple and targeting the army convoy.