KOLKATA: The first batch of 10 dogs trained in sniffing out mines and other explosive devices were on Saturday handed over to the Bangladesh army by the Indian Army at the Petrapole check post in North 24-Parganas on Saturday. The canines have been trained at the Remount Veterinary Centre in Meerut. India is also providing training to Bangladesh army personnel in handling dogs and other animals and training them.

"The Indian Army has several breeds of dogs including Belgian Malinois, German Shepherds, Labradors and Dobermans. Training of pariah dogs have also started now. Their performance is very good. We are always ready to provide assistance to a friendly nation like Bangladesh in issues concerning security. After all, our concerns over terrorism are the same. The dogs that were handed over are extremely efficient and will work as force multipliers in detecting explosives as well as improvised explosive devices," a senior Army official said.

In the past, the Indian Army has handed over horses to the Bangladesh army as a gesture of friendship. Military ties between the two countries have grown over the last several years and troops participate in joint exercises frequently. The Eastern Command Hospital in Kolkata also provides treatment to personnel from Bangladeshi defence forces suffering from critical ailments.

On Saturday, the Indian contingent was led by Col Krishan Yadav while the Bangladeshi team was headed by Col Anwarul Islam. Sqn Ldr Tushar Mohan from the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was also present.