By Alok Singh
New Delhi, Nov 18 (IANS): After serving the Delhi Police for 18 years, Sonam, an award winning female horse, who was a regular at the Independence Day functions for 17

years, breathed her last Nov 13 - on the verge of being retired.

The 18-year-old stallion, who was inducted into the force in 1996 when she was just a year old could not participate in the national event held at Red Fort this
year as she was too old. About to be retired soon, Sonam died on the morning of Nov 13 after a brief illness.

"Sonam, who was retiring this month was ill for the last few months. She passed away last Thursday," a handler at the Mounted Police unit in north Delhi told IANS.

Sonam was among the two horses who did not participate in the event at Red Fort this year due to their age.

"She was very weak and so could not be deployed. For the past few months she was not attending any of the Delhi Police events," said another handler.

The black coloured horse took part in numerous sports activities, but according to a Delhi Police officer, her winning the gold medal in the 2004 All India Police Duty Meet in Hyderabad was the highlight of her tenure.

"She participated in several other sports and won many medals. But the 2004 gold medal was her best achievement," said the officer.

Named Sonam by her first handler, Jaipal, a Delhi Police head constable, the horse was brought from a private farm for Rs. 50,000 and was one among the 50 that formed the Delhi Police horse unit, officially known as the Mounted Police.

The unit, whose strength now stands at 49, looks after law and order in the city and plays a significant role during ceremonial functions and sports.

According to protocol, after turning 18, the horses retire from active service and are handed over to NGO's working for animal welfare, an officer said.