The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel of 228 Battalion conducted full honours last rites for K9 Rolo, a brave canine warrior who died in the line of duty on April 27, 2025.
The two-year-old service dog succumbed to anaphylactic shock after suffering approximately 200 bee stings during a special operation at Karegutta Hills along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. Rolo and her handler were attacked by a swarm of honey bees while returning from duty in a difficult terrain area.
"Rolo wasn't just a dog, but a soldier," said an emotional Constable Shubham Gajanan, Rolo's handler. "Canines are brought to us when they are only 21 days old. The handler is responsible for their care and training, creating a deep emotional bond between us."
Gajanan added that Rolo had been awarded as the second-best canine in the team and played crucial roles in numerous operations conducted by the 228 Battalion, particularly in detecting IEDs and protecting troops. During the April 22-25 operation, Rolo had performed with exceptional alertness under challenging conditions.
"She was attacked when she entered an area where troops couldn't go," Gajanan explained. "Despite immediate first aid, she died en route to the medical facility."
Commandant Lateef Kumar Sahu of the 228 Battalion CRPF praised the fallen canine warrior: "Rolo was a brave warrior of our unit. She was playful and an expert in IED detection. Her sacrifice will be remembered."
In recognition of her service and sacrifice, Rolo has been posthumously awarded the Director General's Commendation Certificate.
(With inputs from news agencies.)
