K9 Phanton – Akhnoor, India

Died – 10/28/24

Army Dog ‘Phantom’ Dies in Anti-terror Operation in J-K; Unit Recalls His Courage, Loyalty and Dedication

Indian Army’s dog, Phantom lost its life life in an operation after terrorists fired upon an Army convoy near Asan, Sunderbani Sector of Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday morning.The incident happened near Asan in the Sunderbani Sector of Akhnoor. The Army neutralised one terrorist in the operation and several warlike stores were also recovered. The canine, a Belgium Malinois was born on May 25, 2020, and was posted in the force on August 12, 2022. Indian Army’s White Knight Corps remembered Phantom’s contribution and said that his “courage, loyalty and dedication” will never be forgoten.White Knight Corps took to its X handle on X stating, “We salute the supreme sacrifice of our true hero–a valiant Indian Army Dog, Phantom.” “As our troops were closing in on the trapped terrorists, Phantom drew enemy fire, sustaining fatal injuries. His loyalty, and dedication will never be forgotten. In the ongoing operation, one terrorist has been neutralized and warlike stores have been recovered thus far,” the post added .Earlier in the day, responding to the attack on the Indian Army vehicle in the Battal area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir police said that three terrorists were believed to be spotted near Assan Mandir in in Battal. They fired some rounds on the Army Ambulance, said J-K Police. Subsequently, the area was cordoned off and a joint search operation was launched by the J-K police and security forces .Swift retaliation by Army troops foiled the attack attempt, said the White Knight Corps.

Submitted By Jim Cortina

James A. Cortina has been involved with police dogs since 1972 and currently on the Board of Directors for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Jim has been appointed as Treasurer since its inception in 1991. Jim is one of the charter members of the C.P.W.D.A. organization. Since 1975 he has been a certified professional dog trainer and received his Master Trainer Certification in 1985. During his career he has provided armed K-9 strike crowd control for security agencies in Connecticut and out of state security companies. In conjunction with other members of the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. Board of Directors, he helped to draft Connecticut Statute 53-247(e) "Intentional Injury or Killing of Police K-9" which was passed by the Senate in 1993 and also assisted in implementing the prestigious Daniel Wasson Memorial K-9 Award in 1992. In 1993 he helped coordinate the North American Police Work Dog Association Nationals in New London, Connecticut. He was appointed Training Director for the New London County Work Dog Association from 1985-1987. He performed decoy work for Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc. in police K-9 demonstrations, trained several local police department canines, and coordinated training workshops for out-of-state police departments. He participated in the United States Police K-9 Association Trials in Croton on Hudson, New York in 1985 as a decoy. He is an avid photographer and received photography awards in 1989, 1990, and 1991 and currently takes photographs for the Connecticut Police Work Dog Association Inc.