Rex (1993-99), a golden Labrador of Rashtriya Rifles, has been a recipient of GOC-in-C commendation card for his outstanding and exemplary performance against militants.

Rex was born at the RVC Centre and School Meerut and after a year’s training was posted to the 14 Army Dog Unit under Delta Force. Rex was assigned the area’s adjoining the town of Bhaderwah, to help troops in trailing and tracking militants.

In March 1995, operating with troops of 25 Rashtriya Rifles in jungles of Badrot, South of Bhaderwah, he tracked a militant injured in an encounter for over three km in the thick of militant fire. In a chase that lasted for over four hours, he managed to recover one AK-56 rifle and a haversack containing 92 rounds. In April 1998, out on a patrol in Gulgandhar area, security forces killed two dreaded militants and badly injured one, who managed to escape. Picking up the scent of his blood, Rex went hot on the trail and moved speedily and stealthily over strenuous undulating mountains. After tracking over two km, he succeeded in tracing out the body of the militant in a hideout where he had succumbed to his injuries.

Let out on yet another ‘trial’ with the QRT of CO 25 RR in Daraba near Rajouri, Rex suffered an unfortunate fall and sustained serious intestinal injuries. He was evacuated to the nearest Army Veterinary Hospital where he developed acute gastroentrities and finally succumbed on September 22, 1999.