K9 Rolo honored by CRPF after tragic death in Anti-Naxal operation
The CRPF held a solemn farewell for K9 Rolo, a Belgian Shepherd, who succumbed to bee stings during a crucial anti-Naxal mission. Her death highlights the risks faced by the canine squad in 'Operation Black Forest', a major initiative targeting Naxal strongholds. Rolo's contribution to the mission was honored by her handlers and fellow officers.
0Sukma (Chhattisgarh) [India], May 16: CRPF on Friday conducted the last rites of a 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.
To achieve the goal of eliminating Naxalism by March 26, 2026, the security forces have been conducting the biggest ever operation, 'Operation Black Forest' to break the backbone Naxals near Karreguttalu Hill (KGH) at the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border. The 21-day long operation carried out by the joint forces of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and state police between April 21 to May 11 neutralised 31 Naxals carrying a bounty of Rs 1.72 crore. (ANI)