Republic Day 2026: India’s fierce four-legged warriors make historic parade entrance

Animals played a special role in India’s Republic Day 2026 parade at Kartavya Path, adding colour, tradition and operational significance to the grand celebrations. Among the highlights were Bactrian camels and Zaniskari ponies marching with the Indian Army’s “Him Yodha” contingent, representing troops specially trained for high-altitude warfare in the Himalayas. The parade also featured highly trained sniffer dogs from disaster response units, demonstrating the critical role of canine forces in rescue and security operations. Adding a unique regional touch, black kite birds, native to North India, were also part of the ceremonial display. Watch the video to find out more.