Britain’s ‘Mali’ awarded for saving troops in Afghanistan

London, November 17 

A UK special forces dog was today awarded a medal equivalent of the country’s highest military honour for his role in saving hundreds of troops during his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Mali, a Belgian Malinois, has been awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal—the equivalent of the human Victoria Cross—for his heroic actions in sniffing out Taliban booby traps during a highly sensitive military operation in 2012. The eight-year-old dog was instrumental is assisting troops to clear militants from a Kabul tower block despite suffering serious shrapnel injuries. Mali was part of a mission aimed at ending a major siege by an armed suicide squad holed up in the tower block in Kabul and securing a key Taliban stronghold during the operation. He successfully indicated presence of insurgents numerous times, giving the UK assault force vital seconds to engage the enemy in close quarter combat.

Mali was seriously hurt by three grenade blasts, with the first two explosions causing injuries to his chest and legs. A further blast detonated close to his face, causing the loss of his front tooth and damage to right ear. The Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 and is highest award any animal in world can achieve while serving in military conflict. Previous recipients include 32 pigeons, 31 dogs, four horses and a cat. — PTI