India to use chilli-filled shells in Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: India is all set to introduce another non-lethal weapon in occupied Kashmir to quell the ongoing protests in the territory.

After having faced severe criticism over the use of pellet guns that injured hundreds of protestors, many of whom lost their eyesight, the government had tasked a panel to find a replacement, Kashmir Media Service reported.

Media reports said the panel agreed on the newly developed ‘PAVA shells’, a chilli-based munition that temporarily incapacitates the target.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh indicated that the forces' personnel would get an alternative to the pellet gun within a few days.

The reports said that the panel favoured ‘PAVA shells’ as an alternative to pellet guns and had recommended that the Tear Smoke Unit of the BSF in Gwalior should be tasked with bulk production of the shells immediately, with the first lot of 50,000 rounds.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2016.