"Rolo played significant role in saving troops from IEDS": Canine warrior Rolo's handler

Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 16 (ANI): Constable Shubham Gajanan of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) 228 Battalion, who was also the handler of a two-year-old Belgian Shepherd named Rolo said that there is an "emotional relationship" between the canine and its handler adding that Rolo played a significant role in saving troops from IEDS.

"Canines are brought to us when they are only 21 days old. It is the handler's responsibility to take care of them and also train them. There is an emotional relationship and connection between the canine and its handler. After training, Rolo was also awarded the second-best canine in the team. In many operations done by 228 BN , Rolo played a major role," Constable Shubham Gajanan told ANI.
He further said that Rolo did her duty with full alertness under difficult circumstances.
"Rolo played a significant role in saving troops from IEDS and searching during major operations. Between 22-25 April, Rolo did her duty with full alertness under difficult circumstances. Rolo was attacked by a swarm of bees when she entered an area where troops couldn't go. She was given first aid at the spot, but she died on the way to the medical facility. We didn't think of Rolo as a dog but as a soldier. She did very well and saved the troops. When a canine warrior passes away, it feels like a soldier has passed away," he added.
Earlier today, CRPF conducted the last rites of the two-year-old Belgian Shepherd named Rolo, who was part of the force's elite canine squad.
Rolo lost her life after being attacked by a swarm of bees during a major anti-Naxal operation in the Karreguttalu hills on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. She was declared dead on 27 April 2025, with the cause of death being anaphylactic shock following 200 bee stings.
K9 Rolo, born on 05/04/2023, was trained in infantry patrolling, explosive detection and assault at DBTS in batch sl. No. 80, subsequent to which it was deployed for Anti-Naxal duties in 228 Bn, CRPF in the month of April 2024.
During the special operation at KGH, while K9 along with other troops were carrying out an intensive search operation, a sudden attack by a huge swarm of honey bees led them in surprise. Handlers of K9 Rolo covered it with a polythene sheet to avoid being bitten by the bees but it went in vain as the huge swarm of bees slipped inside the cover and bit K9 Rolo who then, due to intense pain and irritation, got berserk and got out of the cover making him vulnerable to more bites, said the CRPF.
Resultantly, K9 Rolo suffered around 200 bee stings, which made it unconscious. An immediate medical evacuation was performed. Emergency treatment was given by the handlers. However, K9 Rolo succumbed to the pain and suffering while on the way and was declared brought dead by the veterinarian, said the CRPF. (ANI)