The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) conducted the last rites of K9 Rolo, a two-year-old Belgian Shepherd who was an integral part of its elite canine squad.
Rolo lost her life during an intensive anti-Naxal operation in the Karreguttalu hills on the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border after being attacked by a swarm of bees.
The incident occurred on April 27, 2025, when K9 Rolo and her handlers were carrying out a search operation. Despite efforts to shield her, Rolo suffered around 200 bee stings, leading to anaphylactic shock. Emergency medical intervention was attempted, but the brave canine succumbed to the trauma before reaching a veterinary facility.
Rolo was trained in infantry patrolling, explosive detection, and assault and had been deployed for anti-Naxal duties in April 2024. Her contribution to the ongoing ‘Operation Black Forest’—an ambitious mission to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026—was invaluable.
Between April 21 and May 11, joint forces from the CRPF and state police neutralised 31 Naxals with bounties totalling Rs 1.72 crore. Rolo’s tragic passing underscores the risks faced by security personnel and their canine counterparts in the battle against insurgency.