Silent Warriors of the Republic: The Animals Who Guard India’s Frontiers
This Republic Day, the Indian Army will bring these silent warriors into the spotlight with the debut of its animal contingent at Kartavya Path
They do not wear medals, they do not raise slogans, and they rarely feature in headlines. Yet, across India’s most inhospitable frontiers, animals stand guard alongside soldiers—sharing danger, hardship and duty in equal measure.
This Republic Day, the Indian Army will bring these silent warriors into the spotlight with the debut of its animal contingent at Kartavya Path.
From the icy heights of the Siachen Glacier to the cold deserts of eastern Ladakh, animals play roles that technology alone cannot replace. Zanskar ponies ferry supplies across narrow mountain trails at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet. Bactrian camels patrol sandy, wind-swept stretches along the Line of Actual Control, carrying loads with minimal water and feed. Raptors provide aerial vigilance, preventing bird strikes near airfields and enhancing operational safety.
Perhaps most vital are the Army dogs—trained for detection of explosives, counter-terrorism, tracking and disaster response. Raised and nurtured by the Remount & Veterinary Corps, these dogs have saved countless lives, often entering danger zones ahead of human troops. Several have been posthumously honoured for acts of exceptional bravery.
Their presence at the Republic Day parade is more than symbolic. It is a national acknowledgment of service rendered in silence—of lives spent in duty without expectation of applause.
As the nation celebrates its Republic, these animals remind us that India’s security is not upheld by soldiers alone, but by loyal hearts that walk, run and fly beside them.