Shillong, Feb 28: A farewell ceremony to the dedicated K9 heroes of the Meghalaya Police, who have served the community with unwavering loyalty and bravery, was held at the 1st MLP Battalion here today.
The atmosphere was charged with pride as attendees gathered to salute Remor, Rester and Cairo, who collectively served the force with distinction for nearly three decades.
The Legacy of K9 Remor
K9 Remor, an 11-year-old Labrador, served with distinction for a decade in narcotics detection. His journey began at the National Training Centre for Dogs in Madhya Pradesh, where he underwent rigorous training that equipped him with the skills necessary for his noble duty.
Throughout his career, K9 Remor under his handler, Kamal Sharma, played a key role in detecting approximately 39 grams of suspected heroin from a house in Assam Bazar, Happy Valley, and was instrumental in the recovery of contraband worth around Rs 5 crore in Umsning, Ri-Bhoi.
In recognition of his outstanding service, K9 Remor was awarded the Chief Minister’s Medal of Honour in 2019, a testament to his dedication and impact in the fight against drug trafficking.
K9 Rester: A Pillar of Security
K9 Rester, an 11-year-old Labrador, has served as an exemplary explosive detection dog. He served ten years as an explosive detection dog under handler Gasper Lyngdoh. Rester’s proficiency was evident in several critical missions. In 2021, he helped detect explosives near St. Thomas Church under Chokpot Police Station in South Garo Hills. He was again pivotal in successful detections in 2023 at Makregre under Tikrikilla Police Station and at Anogre under Jengjal Police Station in West Garo Hills.
The Unseen Hero: K9 Cairo
K9 Cairo, a 10-year-old Belgian Malinois specialising in tracking, rendered nine years of distinguished service under handler Lurshai Swer. Although absent from the recent ceremony due to health concerns, Cairo’s contribution was remembered with honour. He had completed seven months of training at Stealth Paws, Bangalore, earning a Grade A certificate before his induction into the Meghalaya Police K9 Unit. The medal and citation were received on his behalf.
Each medal symbolised not only the service of the K9s but also recognition of their invaluable contributions to the community.
Deputy Chief Minister in charge Home Prestone Tynsong felicitated the retired K9 heroes with medals and said, “You have earned your rest and to the new inductees, welcome to the force — you have big paws to fill.”
“We are here to honour the silent heroes who are retiring after years of selfless service and to welcome the new K9 recruits who will carry their legacy forward,” Tynsong said.
Emphasising the bond between handlers and their canine partners, Tynsong said a K9 is only as effective as the person leading it. “You don’t just walk together. You live and breathe the mission together,” he said, assuring continued government investment in advanced training, improved infrastructure and welfare measures for canine assets, both during service and after retirement.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced the expansion of the K9 Unit from a modest strength of seven dogs to 37 at present, supported by the DREAM mission and the recent induction of 24 trained dogs. The force now comprises ten tracker dogs for criminal investigations, 14 narcotic detectors, 11 explosive detectors and two assault dogs for high-risk operations. These dogs will be deployed across different parts of the state to enhance response capabilities.
The ceremony also featured a live demonstration following months of intensive training and bonding between handlers and dogs. The K9s responded instantly to verbal and hand signals such as sit, down, stay and stand, showcasing their discipline and coordination.
Established in 1975 under the CID wing, the Meghalaya Police K9 Unit has grown into a key pillar of the state’s security architecture. Over the past five decades, K9 teams and their handlers have served as the first line of defence against narcotics trafficking, explosives and criminal activity. From the rugged terrains of East, South and West Garo Hills to sensitive urban pockets, the unit has been instrumental in averting tragedies and maintaining public order.
