View source for Crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir

{{Short description|Methods employed by Indian forces to manage riots and protests in Kashmir}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}
[[File:Police in Kashmir confronting violent protestors December 2018.jpg|275px|thumb|Police in Kashmir confronting violent protesters in December 2018]]
[[Crowd control]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] is a [[public security]] practice to prevent and manage violent [[riot]]s. It is enforced by police forces through laws preventing [[unlawful assembly]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/section-144-imposed-in-pulwama/306321.html|title=Section 144 imposed in Pulwama|date=16 December 2018|work=Greater Kashmir}}</ref> as well as using [[Riot control#Riot control agent (RCA)|riot control agents]] such as [[tear gas]], [[chili grenade]]s, and [[Pellet (air gun)|pellet]] guns ([[riot shotgun]]s that fire pellet cartridges).<ref name=":5" />

In 2010, India instituted the use of pellet guns to control protestors violently clashing with the police. The use of pellet cartridges was criticized by several NGOs due to the grievous and lethal injuries they cause. The government in 2016 formed a committee to look into alternative riot control agents. The army recommended to the committee that [[non-lethal weapon]]s – including [[pepper-spray projectile|pepper gun]]s, [[Long Range Acoustic Device|long range acoustic device]]s, and [[chili grenade]]s – replace pellet guns.<ref name="ArmyBacks" /> Based on the committee's report, the use of these alternative riot control agents were initiated against violent crowds. However, the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Minister of Home Affairs]] clarified in 2017, that "if these measures prove to be ineffective in dispersing of rioters, use of pellet guns may be resorted to".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/Questions/QResult15.aspx?qref=50527&lsno=16|title=Unstarred Question No. 4185|date=28 March 2017|access-date=18 March 2019|publisher=Parliament of India: Lok Sabha}}</ref> In a 2018 report, the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] called on both India and Pakistan to investigate the abuse of rights in the regions administered by them.

As a part of the graded response to violent protests, Indian police forces have used [[plastic bullet]]s before [[pellet gun]]s. The security forces have multiple options for enforcing crowd control such as tear smoke shells, PAVA shells, rubber bullets fired from gas guns, plastic bullets, and pellet guns before finally resorting to opening fire with [[live ammunition]] against [[Stone pelting in Kashmir|stone pelting]] protestors during violent clashes.

==Background==
India and Pakistan have fought three [[Kashmir conflict|wars in Kashmir]] during [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1947–1948|1947–1948]], [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|1965]] and the [[Kargil War]] in 1999.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|title=Indo-Pakistan War of 1965|website=Global Security|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230233204/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|archive-date=30 December 2018|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1399992/A-brief-history-of-the-Kashmir-conflict.html|title=A brief history of the Kashmir conflict|date=24 September 2001|work=The Telegraph|access-date=30 December 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> In 27 years, between 1990 and 2017, [[insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir]] claimed a total of 41,000 lives (14,000 civilians, 5,000 security personnel and 22,000 militants) according to government figures made available in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ.html|title=41,000 deaths in 27 years: The anatomy of Kashmir militancy in numbers|last1=Jacob|first1=Jayanth|last2=Naqshbandi|first2=Aurangzeb|date=25 September 2017|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504154945/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/the-anatomy-of-kashmir-militancy-in-numbers/story-UncrzPTGhN22Uf1HHe64JJ.html|archive-date=4 May 2018|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref>

In February 2010, the [[Special director general of police|Special Director General]] (SDGP) of [[Central Reserve Police Force]] (CRPF) N K Tripathi stated that since the militancy related activities have declined in the region, "a new form of gunless terrorism in the shape of stone-pelting has emerged in Kashmir", "It is being funded by Pakistan and its agencies through [[over ground worker]]s (sympathizers of militants) and [[hawala]] channels" with an objective to disturb the [[Peacebuilding in Jammu and Kashmir|peace in Kashmir]] and India. He added that "There are a large number of instances of unprovoked stone-pelting by hostile mobs on CRPF that has left 1500 [[Private (rank)|jawans]] injured and close to 400 vehicles damaged in the last one-and-a-half year" (2009–10).<ref name="GunlessTerror">{{cite news |title=Now 'gunless terror' stalks JK - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/Now--gunless-terror--stalks-JK/575058 |access-date=5 April 2019 |work=archive.indianexpress.com |date=3 February 2010}}</ref>

In June 2018, the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] issued the UN's first-ever report on human rights conditions in Kashmir. Because both Pakistan and India excluded UN investigators from their territories, the report was based on public domain information and research by local and international human rights groups. United Nations human rights officials through the report had asked both India and Pakistan to investigate the abuse of rights in the regions administered by them.<ref name="NYT_UNHR">{{cite news|author=Cumming-Bruce, Nick|date=14 June 2018|access-date=20 March 2019|title=Top U.N. Rights Official Seeks Inquiry on Kashmir Abuses|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/14/world/asia/kashmir-un-human-rights.html|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The report asked for numerous human rights corrections on both sides, and asked Pakistan to stop misusing anti-terror legislation. India rejected the report, which asked for urgent repeal of the 1990 [[Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act]] under which its security forces have immunity.<ref>{{cite news|title=India rejects UN report on rights violations in Kashmir, calls it 'fallacious, motivated'|author=Jacob, Jayanth and Hussain, Ashiq|date=15 June 2018|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-rejects-un-report-on-rights-violations-in-kashmir-calls-it-fallacious-motivated/story-WR0yfxcibx8JtyEW0ledLL.html|access-date=5 March 2019|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Pakistan refutes UN allegations that it supports Kashmiri militants.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/why-the-kashmir-conflict-is-not-just-an-india-pakistan-border-dispute|title=Why the Kashmir conflict is not just an India-Pakistan border dispute|author=Zutshi, Chitralekha|date= 5 March 2019|access-date=8 March 2019|publisher=The Conversation via NewsHour Productions LLC}}</ref>

Indian security forces have been criticized for using excessive force to control protests in Jammu and Kashmir.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2019/02/22/indian-troops-martyr-kashmiri-youth-in-sopore/|title=Indian troops martyr Kashmiri youth in Sopore {{!}} Pakistan Today|date=22 February 2019|website=[[Pakistan Today]]|access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloombergquint.com/view/avoiding-war-between-india-and-pakistan-over-kashmir|title=Avoiding Catastrophic Conflict in South Asia|date=28 February 2019|website=BloombergQuint|access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=http://kashmirwatch.com/negating-battle-of-hatred/|title=Negating Battle of Hatred|last=Editor|date=23 February 2019|website=KashmirWatch|language=en-US|access-date=17 March 2019}}</ref> The Pakistani military has supported the militant groups [[Jaish-e-Mohammed]] and [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]] and have been seen by observers as the "main impediment to a final peace".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/why-the-war-between-india-and-pakistan-for-kashmir-burns-on|title=Why the War for Kashmir Burns On|author=Filkins, Dexter|date=28 February 2019|access-date=19 March 2019|magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref>

According to data accessed by ''[[The Times of India]]'' in 2016, Jammu and Kashmir saw at least a three-year{{Nbsp}}peak in riots, totaling 2897{{Nbsp}}rioting incidents.<ref name=":13" /> According to [[Indian Police Service]] (IPS) officer, K. Durga Prasad, the director-general of the CRPF during 2016, there were 47{{Nbsp}}incidents of grenade attacks and 43{{Nbsp}}petrol or [[acid attack]]s on CRPF personnel in the region, as well as 142{{Nbsp}}incidents of [[Stone pelting in Kashmir|stone pelting]] reported on CRPF camps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/pava-shell-as-substitute-for-pellet-gun-not-the-solution-we-need-something-else-director-general-crpf-at-farewell-presser-4546125/|title=PAVA shell as substitute for pellet gun not the solution, we need something else: CRPF DG at farewell presser|date=27 February 2017|website=The Indian Express|others=Express Web Desk|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/jammu-and-kashmir/story/kashmir-valley-stone-pelting-pellet-guns-crpf-962928-2017-02-27|title=Kashmir: Pellet guns with deflectors, CRPF's new jugaad for stone-pelters|last=Kaur|first=Kamaljit|date=27 February 2017|website=India Today|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> Rioting fell to 732{{Nbsp}}incidents in the valley in 2018, with 51{{Nbsp}}protesters being killed during clashes and 37{{Nbsp}}protesters being killed during encounters.<ref name=":13">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/riots-on-streets-down-rioting-during-encounters-up-in-valley/articleshow/67294824.cms|title=Riots on streets down, rioting during encounters up in Valley - Times of India|last=Singh|first=Aarti Tikoo|date=29 December 2018|website=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229115511/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//india/riots-on-streets-down-rioting-during-encounters-up-in-valley/articleshow/67294824.cms|archive-date=29 December 2018|url-status=live|access-date=30 December 2018}}</ref>

== Legal provisions ==
Orders banning mass gatherings are legally enacted through Section{{Nbsp}}144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Code of Criminal Procedure, 1989, the state act for Jammu and Kashmir, not the central [[Code of Criminal Procedure (India)|Code of Criminal Procedure]] for India).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/prohibitory-orders-imposed-in-kashmir-valley/articleshow/63578559.cms|title=Prohibitory orders imposed in Kashmir Valley|last=PTI|date=2 April 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref><ref>Law Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir (2010). ''[http://www.jklaw.nic.in/jammu_kashmir_acts.pdf Alphabetical List of State Acts as on July 2010].'' National Informatic Centre (NIC).</ref> [[Curfew]]s are also enacted by [[District collector (India)|district magistrates]] through Section{{Nbsp}}144.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://epaper.greaterkashmir.com/epaperpdf/832013/832013-md-hr-1.pdf|title=Government to Clamp Curfews Today|last=Yusuf|first=Shabir|date=7 March 2013|work=Greater Kashmir}}</ref> In 2016 [[2016–17 Kashmir unrest|Kashmir unrest]] after the [[killing of Burhan Wani]], a curfew was enforced in the Kashmir valley. The curfew lasted for over 60{{Nbsp}}days, the longest in the history of Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/kashmir-curfew-completes-60-days-longest-ever-in-history/227790.html|title=Curfew completes 60 days, longest ever in history|last=Yusuf|first=Shabir Ibn|date=6 September 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> In 2016 and 2017, a total of 168{{Nbsp}}curfews and restrictions have been imposed in Jammu and Kashmir with [[Anantnag district]] seeing the most restrictions being imposed, a total of 51{{Nbsp}}times.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/168-curfews-imposed-in-9-districts-of-kashmir-in-2016-2017-mehbooba-mufti/articleshow/62622615.cms|title=168 curfews imposed in 9 districts of Kashmir in 2016, 2017: Mehbooba Mufti|last=PTI|date=23 January 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>

== Standard operating procedures ==
The [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]] set up a task force in September 2010 to recommend [[standard operating procedure]]s to provide guidelines for crowd and riot control.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pib.nic.in/newsite/erelcontent.aspx?relid=83915|title=SOP Being Finalised to Deal with Public Agitation|date=15 May 2012|website=Public Information Bureau|publisher=National Informatics Centre, India|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> The [[Bureau of Police Research and Development]] (BPRD) in India laid out these guidelines in their report, "Standard Operating Procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures".<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures|title=Standard operating procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures|last=Bureau of Police Research and Development|date=2011|via=Scribd|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227095239/https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures|archive-date=27 December 2018|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/us-based-rights-group-accuse-india-of-excessive-use-of-force-obstructing-access-to-medical-care-in-valley-4415175/|title=US-based rights group accuse India of excessive use of force, obstructing access to medical care in Valley|last=Masood|first=Bashaarat|date=7 December 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> The equipment listed includes [[taser]]s, [[Smoke grenade|dye grenades]], [[stink bomb]]s, [[water cannon]]s, regular [[tear gas]] shells and [[plastic bullet]]s for mob dispersal.<ref name="crowd dispersal Report">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20110627-civil-unrest-in-kashmir-tear-gas-shell-baba-ramdev-eviction-746533-2011-06-17|title=Police should use non-lethal means for crowd dispersal: Report|last=Unnithan|first=Sandeep|date=17 June 2011|website=India Today|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref> [[Pellet gun]]s were not part of the BPRD's list of "non-lethal" equipment under these standard operating procedures.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/rights/kashmir-pellet-guns-bprd|title=RTI Revelation: Pellet Guns Not Standard Procedure For Crowd Control|last=Bhatnagar|first=Gaurav Vivek|date=10 August 2016|website=The Wire|access-date=27 December 2017}}</ref>

In August 2016, the director general of CRPF, IPS officer, [[Rajiv Rai Bhatnagar|R. R. Bhatnagar]], had stated that a multi-step graded mechanism is followed by the CRPF for dealing with crowds. "The first weapon used to disperse the crowds, be it near an encounter site or anywhere else, is the tear smoke munitions. The next in the list are chili bombs, followed by pump action guns. Preventing collateral damage is our priority. We do not want civilians getting injured during counter-insurgency operations."<ref name="HT_teargas2018">{{cite news |title=Chilli bombs to tear gas, CRPF looks at alternatives to pellet guns in Kashmir |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/from-chilli-bombs-to-tear-gas-crpf-looks-at-less-lethal-ways-to-quell-mob-violence-in-kashmir/story-M3wFKd9OzGaDqt7RPXuv6J.html |access-date=28 December 2018 |publisher=Hindustan Times |date=25 April 2018 }}</ref>

In 2017, following the [[2016–17 Kashmir unrest|2016–17{{Nbsp}}Kashmir unrest]], the Ministry of Home Affairs set up another expert panel to review usage of pellet guns and suggest replacements.<ref name="Plastic Bullet DH">{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/national/plastic-bullet-replace-pellets-711359.html|title=Plastic Bullet to replace the pellets in Kashmir valley|last=Ray|first=Kalyan|date=4 January 2019|website=Deccan Herald|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104231100/https://www.deccanherald.com/national/plastic-bullet-replace-pellets-711359.html|archive-date=2019-01-04|url-status=dead|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref> The panel suggested recommendations based on the [[United Nations]] Peacekeeping Pre-deployment Training (PDT) Standards report of 2015. Plastic bullets were deployed following this, adding to the list of non-lethal alternatives for security forces in the region.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-plastic-bullets-pellet-guns-un-peacekeeping-972172-2017-04-18|title=Using plastic bullets in Kashmir drawn from UN peacekeeping standards for crowd control|last=Kaur|first=Kamaljit|date=18 April 2017|website=India Today|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref>

== Equipment ==
During the Kashmir Unrest from 8 July to 11 August 2016, when more than 1000 violent incidents occurred,<ref name="NDTV8Aug16" /> the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) said they used fourteen types of "less lethal and non-lethal" equipment for controlling crowds, including [[oleoresin]] grenades and electric shells with a total of 8,650 tear-smoke shells and around 2,671{{Nbsp}}plastic pellets being used.<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/1.3-million-pellets-used-in-32-days-CRPF-tells-HC/article14577711.ece|title=1.3 million pellets used in 32 days, CRPF tells HC|last=Ashiq|first=Peerzada|date=19 August 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=28 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In the same year, the CRPF used around 3000 pellet{{Nbsp}}cartridges in 32{{Nbsp}}days during riots.<ref name=":8" /> [[Slingshot]]s were also used, with stones or glass marbles being used as projectiles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/kashmir-conflict-anger-indian-police/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616103446/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2018/06/kashmir-conflict-anger-indian-police/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 June 2018|title=Conflict in Kashmir Takes a Grim Toll on Unwitting Victims|last=Abouzeid|first=Rania|date=5 June 2018|website=National Geographic Magazine|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

In mid-2018, the CRPF placed orders for non-lethal riot control equipment such as 300,000{{Nbsp}}[[rubber bullet]]s and 200,000{{Nbsp}}tear gas shells as well as [[chili grenade]]s and dye-marker grenades.<ref name="NewsX">{{cite news |title=Anti-Sterlite protests: After Kashmir, police fire rubber bullets in Thoothukudi for the first time |url=https://www.newsxind.com/national/anti-sterlite-protests-after-kashmir-police-fires-rubber-bullets-in-thoothukudi-for-the-first-time |access-date=16 March 2019 |work=NewsX IND |date=23 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/focus-on-non-lethal-ammo-ahead-of-valley-summer/cid/1343652|title=Focus on non-lethal ammo ahead of Valley summer|last=Siddiqui|first=Imran Ahmed|date=1 May 2018|website=Telegraph India|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> In December 2018, the [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]] (JKP) invited bids from makers and dealers for procurement of new pepper-ball launching systems and anti-riot [[gas mask]]s. The pepper-ball launching systems fire projectiles from 'forced compliance weapons', similar to [[paintball guns]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/jammu-and-kashmir-police-to-get-new-non-lethal-pepper-ball-launching-systems-riot-control-gas-masks/307693.html|title=Jammu and Kashmir police to get new non-lethal pepper-ball launching systems, riot-control gas masks|last=PTI|date=28 December 2018|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181228130249/https://greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/jammu-and-kashmir-police-to-get-new-non-lethal-pepper-ball-launching-systems-riot-control-gas-masks/307693.html|archive-date=28 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/j-k-police-to-get-non-lethal-riot-control-equipment-118122800700_1.html|title=J&K police to get non-lethal riot control equipment|last=IANS|date=28 December 2018|work=Business Standard India|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, over 500 female CRPF personnel have also been deployed to deal with female stone pelters among other things.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/crpf-deploys-500-women-commandoes-in-kashmir-to-deal-with-female-stone-pelters/articleshow/64817096.cms|title=CRPF deploys 500 women commandoes in Kashmir to deal with female stone pelters|last=Chauhan|first=Neeraj|date=1 July 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=16 March 2019}}</ref>

== Pellet guns ==
[[File:Police Protesters Clash after Eid Prayers in Kashmir 2 Sept 2017 29.jpg|thumb|A policeman holding a pellet shotgun during a clash with violent protesters after Eid Prayers in Kashmir on 2017-09-02|alt=]]
Pellet guns are a form of [[pump-action]] [[riot shotgun]]s that fire metal pellets,<ref name=":0" /> also called [[Shotgun shell#Birdshot|birdshot]]. Pellets are small metal pieces, round or irregular in shape. One pellet cartridge contains around 500{{Nbsp}}pellets.<ref name=":1" /> They are manufactured at the Ordinance Factory in [[Ichapore]].<ref name=":1" />

Pellet guns are used by Indian police forces (CRPF and the [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]]) as a less-lethal defensive crowd control measure against violent, [[Stone pelting in Kashmir|stone pelting]] mobs in Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-violence-what-are-pellet-guns-and-why-are-they-so-lethal-2913917/|title=What are pellet guns and why are they so lethal?|last=Akhzer|first=Adil|date=22 July 2016|website=The Indian Express|access-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://amnesty.org.in/six-things-know-pellet-shotguns-kashmir/|title=Six Things You Should Know About Pellet Shotguns In Kashmir|date=1 February 2018|website=Amnesty International India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223025949/https://amnesty.org.in/six-things-know-pellet-shotguns-kashmir/|archive-date=23 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="nyt2016"/> These were introduced by the central government following the [[2010 Kashmir unrest|2010{{Nbsp}}Kashmir unrest]] in which over 100{{Nbsp}}protesters were killed in police firing.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/What-are-pellet-guns-and-why-are-they-lethal/article14501024.ece|title=What are pellet guns and why are they lethal?|last=Singh|first=Vijaita|date=21 July 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=23 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Since July–August 2016, more than 1000 violent incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir in which more than 3,329 security passengers and 5,000 protestors were injured.<ref name="NDTV8Aug16">{{cite news |title=Over 3,000 Security Personnel Injured In Kashmir Violence: State Police |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/over-3-300-security-personnel-injured-in-kashmir-violence-1441434 |access-date=13 April 2019 |work=NDTV.com |date=8 August 2016}}</ref> The Jammu and Kashmir police used pellet guns for the first time on crowds on 14 August 2010, when a mob of around 3000{{Nbsp}}people tried to overrun a [[Rashtriya Rifles]] base in [[Sopore]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/JampK-police-for-the-first-time-use-non-lethal-weapon-for-crowd-control/article16131974.ece|title=J&K police for the first time use non-lethal weapon for crowd control|last=PTI|date=14 August 2010|work=The Hindu|access-date=27 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

In July 2016, protests began in Kashmir after senior separatist militant [[Burhan Wani]] was killed by the security forces. Violent mobs numbering thousands of local residents came out in the streets on a daily basis, attacking the security forces with stones. The mobs did not have an obvious leader and consisted mostly of young boys. Lack of a clear leader further complicated the crowd control measures.<ref name="Reuters_replace">{{cite news |title=India to replace some pellet guns with chili-filled shells in Kashmir |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-chilli-rajnathsingh/india-to-replace-some-pellet-guns-with-chilli-filled-shells-in-kashmir-idINKCN11B10W |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123164738/https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-chilli-rajnathsingh/india-to-replace-some-pellet-guns-with-chilli-filled-shells-in-kashmir-idINKCN11B10W |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 November 2018 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=5 September 2016 }}</ref> ''Reuters'' reported a senior police officer stating that the police were often forced to deploy non-lethal pellet guns at a close range in self defence from attacks by violent mobs.<ref name="ReutersAlternatives22July2016" />

===Casualties===
Since July 2016, thousands of people in Jammu and Kashmir have suffered pellet wounds,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/6221-pellet-gun-injuries-reported-in-unrest-after-burhan-killing-jk-govt/articleshow/62641050.cms|title=6,221 pellet-gun injuries reported in unrest after Burhan killing: J&K govt|last=PTI|date=24 January 2018|website=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> hundreds sustained eye injuries,<ref name=":2" /> and at least 14{{Nbsp}}people have died due to pellet injuries.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-46368231|title=Injured baby refuels India pellet gun row|date=28 November 2018|work=BBC News|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://amnesty.org.in/losing-sight-kashmir-impact-pellet-firing-shotguns/|title=Losing Sight in Kashmir: The Impact of Pellet-Firing Shotguns|website=Amnesty International India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225081915/https://amnesty.org.in/losing-sight-kashmir-impact-pellet-firing-shotguns/|archive-date=25 December 2018|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://time.com/longform/pellet-gun-victims-kashmir/|title=Pellet Gun Victims in Kashmir on the Devastating Consequences of the 'Non-Lethal' Weapon|last=Perrigo|first=Billy|date=6 September 2018|magazine=Time|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> At least 16{{Nbsp}}personnel from [[Jammu and Kashmir Police]] have also suffered pellet injuries.<ref name=":3" /> More than 570 patients with mutilated retinas or severed optic nerves entered [[SMHS Hospital]] in [[Srinagar]] after their eyes were hit with pellets. 27 protestors were struck by pellets in both eyes. Dr. Natarajan and his team came to help on the request of the [[Adhik Kadam]] who is a social worker working since 1997 in Jammu and Kashmir runs a local Non Profit organization [[Borderless World Foundation]]<ref name=NYTBarry>{{cite news|title=An Epidemic of 'Dead Eyes' in Kashmir as India Uses Pellet Guns on Protesters|author=Barry, Ellen|date=28 August 2016|access-date=17 March 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/world/asia/pellet-guns-used-in-kashmir-protests-cause-dead-eyes-epidemic.html|work=The New York Times}}</ref>

One of the youngest pellet gun victims is a 19-month-old{{Nbsp}}child, Heeba Jan, who suffered injuries in 2018 when she and her mother were caught in the middle of a violent clash while escaping from tear gas near their house.<ref name=":4" /> Local residents had attempted to interrupt an ongoing gunfight between armed militants inside a house and police forces, and when the police tried to stop the residents, a violent clash ensued and tear gas and pellet guns were deployed.<ref name="Heeba_NDTV">{{cite news |title=19-Month-Old, Kashmir's Youngest Pellet Survivor, Needs Several Surgeries |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/19-month-old-kashmirs-youngest-pellet-survivor-needs-several-surgeries-1957244 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=NDTV.com |date=3 December 2018}}</ref> Another young victim, 15-year-old Insha Malik (Insha Ahmed), sustained eye injuries observing protests from her house in [[Shopian]].<ref name="ReutersAlternatives22July2016" />

=== Response ===
Pellet guns have been criticised for the injuries they cause especially when the pellets hit the eyes of protesters causing partial blindness.<ref name="nyt2016">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/29/world/asia/pellet-guns-used-in-kashmir-protests-cause-dead-eyes-epidemic.html|title=An Epidemic of 'Dead Eyes' in Kashmir as India Uses Pellet Guns on Protesters|last=Barry|first=Ellen|date=28 August 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/paramilitary-scouts-for-non-lethal-alternatives-after-criticism-over-pellet-guns/story-lBEf5XmjrV1f2mhtAipHNM.html|title=Paramilitary readies 'non-lethal' alternatives after criticism over pellet guns|last=Javaid|first=Azaan|date=1 October 2018|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> Hospitals are overwhelmed with treating the victims during the periods of intense protests. According to the president of Doctors Association Kashmir:<ref name=":6"/>
{{blockquote|quote=The pellet guns have been a horrific nightmare. Calling the pellet gun non-lethal is a dangerous fallacy. Even after the surgeries, we cannot remove all the pellets from the bodies. They are like ticking time bombs inside a person.}}
Protests have been held to ban or replace pellet guns with less harmful ammunitions.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pellet-guns-blind-too-many-protesters-so-india-seeks-a-new-nonlethal-weapon/2016/08/30/47d14b3e-6e11-11e6-993f-73c693a89820_story.html|title=Pellet guns blind too many protesters, so India seeks a new nonlethal weapon|last=Lakshmi|first=Rama|date=31 August 2016|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|publisher=[[Fred Ryan]]|location=[[New Delhi]]|issn=0190-8286|oclc=2269358|access-date=15 January 2019}}</ref><ref name="Reuters_replace" />

According to [[Amnesty International India]], pellet guns are not officially in use anywhere else in India.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/6221-people-suffered-pellet-gun-injuries-in-jammu-and-kashmir-in-the-seven-months-after-burhan-wanis-death-4318831.html|title=6,221 people suffered pellet-gun injuries in Jammu and Kashmir in the seven months after Burhan Wani's death|last=PTI|date=25 January 2018|website=Firstpost|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> In July 2016, Amnesty International asked the government to ban the usage of pellet guns and seek less harmful devices.<ref name="ReutersAlternatives22July2016">{{cite news |title=India to consider alternatives to pellet gun use in Kashmir - Rajnath Singh |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-guns/india-to-consider-alternatives-to-pellet-gun-use-in-kashmir-rajnath-singh-idINKCN10123S |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630083735/https://in.reuters.com/article/india-kashmir-pellet-guns/india-to-consider-alternatives-to-pellet-gun-use-in-kashmir-rajnath-singh-idINKCN10123S |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 June 2018 |access-date=20 January 2019 |publisher=Reuters |date=22 July 2016 }}</ref> The [[United Nations Commission on Human Rights]] called the pellet guns "one of most dangerous weapons used against protesters".<ref name="GK_2019_UNseeks">{{cite news |title=UN seeks international inquiry into Kashmir rights abuses |url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/un-seeks-international-inquiry-into-kashmir-rights-abuses/288089.html |access-date=28 January 2019 |publisher=Greater Kashmir |date=15 June 2018}}</ref>  In August 2016, Kashmiri doctors and medical workers wore a white gauze patch over one eye to protest the use of pellet guns and a recent killing in Srinagar.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kashmiri doctors and medical workers wear bandages on their eyes as a mark of protest against the use of pellet guns and recent killings in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir|date=31 August 2016|access-date=19 March 2019|url=http://pakistannewsviews.com/kashmir-paradise-breaks-heart/kashmiri-doctors-and-medical-workers-wear-bandages-on-their-eyes-as-a-mark-of-protest-against-the-use-of-pellet-guns-and-recent-killings-in-srinagar-indian-controlled-kashmir/|publisher=Pakistan News Views}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Responding to a [[Public interest litigation in India|public interest litigation]] in the [[Jammu and Kashmir High Court]] the CRPF stated that the "pellet guns were introduced in 2010 as an accepted weapon of riot control". and added that "In case this (pellet shotgun) is withdrawn, the CRPF would have no recourse in extreme situations but to open fire with rifles, which may cause more fatalities."<ref name=":8" />

A senior security official in Kashmir told ''The Washington Post'':<ref name=":6" />

{{blockquote|quote=There is an orchestrated campaign against pellet guns precisely because it is doing the work of effectively controlling the violent mob protests. When there is a determined militant crowd hurling sharp stones at us and [they] break our helmets, shields and bones, then we need to act. Tear-gas shells are not very effective because protesters use wet cloth to cover their eyes and are back in action in two minutes.}}

In July 2016, [[Rajnath Singh]], [[Home Minister of India]], while responding to questions related to the increase in violent incidents in Kashmir, stated that a panel to study and recommend the alternatives to pellet guns would be established.<ref name="ReutersAlternatives22July2016" />

=== Replacements ===
Various replacements for pellet guns have been suggested, such as [[chili grenade]]s, dye-marker filled grenades, tear [[smoke grenade]]s, [[stun grenade]]s, PAVA ([[Pelargonic acid vanillylamide|Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide]]/ [[Nonivamide]]) shells, long-range [[Long-range acoustic device|acoustic device]]s, and shock batons.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/9-alternatives-to-pellet-guns/listshow/53881995.cms|title=9 alternatives to pellet guns|date=27 August 2016|work=The Times of India|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> It has also been suggested that the pellets could be made from polymer, soft plastic, rubber, or paper.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Pellet-guns-are-here-to-stay-committee-suggests-alternatives/article14620019.ece|title=Pellet guns are here to stay; committee suggests alternatives|last=Singh|first=Vijaita|date=29 August 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> In July 2016, a seven-member expert committee headed by [[Indian Administrative Service]] (IAS) officer [[T. V. S. N. Prasad]], a joint secretary in the [[Ministry of Home Affairs (India)|Ministry of Home Affairs]], looked into the alternatives to pellet guns.<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/home-top/story/7-member-committee-on-pellet-guns-to-submit-its-report-in-2-months-331529-2016-07-26|title=Kashmir unrest: 7-member committee on pellet guns to submit its report in 2 months|last=Sandu|first=Kamaljit Kaur|date=26 July 2016|website=India Today|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> To the committee, the Indian Army advocated the mediation of crowd control with [[pepper-spray projectile|pepper gun]]s, acoustic devices, and chili grenades.<ref name="ArmyBacks">{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|title=Army backs pepper shots, chilli grenades over pellet guns in Kashmir|date=15 August 2016|access-date=18 March 2019|author=Singh, Rahul|publisher=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The committee submitted its report to [[Home Secretary (India)|Home Secretary]] and IAS officer [[Rajiv Mehrishi]] in September 2016.

The first batch of around 1,000{{Nbsp}}chili-filled grenades were dispatched to the Kashmir valley in late 2016.<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/Chilli-filled-grenades-to-replace-pellet-guns-in-JampK/article14621960.ece|title=Chilli-filled grenades to replace pellet guns in J&K|date=4 September 2016|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 December 2018|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chilli-filled-pava-shells-expert-panel-s-top-choice-to-replace-pellet-guns/story-3K6a0Kq2s1ALF9vGQejfvO.html|title=Chilli-filled 'Pava shells' seen as alternative to pellet guns|last=HT Correspondent|date=25 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=25 December 2018}}</ref> Various other replacements have been tried, such as pepper balls, oleoresin capsicum grenades, CONDOR rubber pellets, and FN303{{Nbsp}}guns in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/kashmir-pellet-guns-chilli-based-shells-burhan-wani-killing-mehbooba-mufti-3011541/|title=Kashmir unrest: From pellet guns to chilli shells, the full story|date=3 September 2016|work=The Indian Express|access-date=27 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, a [[Border Security Force]] (BSF) workshop in Tekanpur Academy modified pellet guns with deflectors to minimize injuries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpfs-new-deflector-fitted-guns-to-become-operational-to-minimise-injuries/articleshow/57375970.cms|title=CRPF's new 'deflector' fitted guns to become operational to minimise injuries|last=Gurung|first=Shaurya Karanbir|date=13 July 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref>

==Other crowd control equipment==
Since 2017, as a part of a graded response to violent protests, Indian security forces have used plastic bullets before employing pellet guns. They have multiple options for enforcing crowd control, such as tear smoke shells, PAVA shells, rubber bullets fired from gas guns, plastic bullets and pellet guns, before finally resorting to opening fire.<ref name="PAVA shell" />

=== Tear gas ===
[[File:Police Protesters Clash after Eid Prayers in Kashmir 2 Sept 2017 8.jpg|thumb|A policeman holding a tear gas gun during clashes with protesters after [[Eid prayers]] in Kashmir on 2018-09-02]]
Tear-gas shells are commonly used as crowd and riot control equipment in Jammu and Kashmir.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sporadic-clashes-stone-pelting-reported-as-kashmir-celebrates-eid/story-NHxX5wKhJCpE6O2WyyKgKL.html|title=Police fire tear gas to control clashes, stone pelting as Kashmir celebrates Eid|last=Hussain|first=Ashiq|date=26 June 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>

In June 2010, Tufail Ahmed Mattoo died after a tear gas canister struck him on the head.<ref name="crowd dispersal Report" /> The death of Mattoo by the tear gas canister led to mob violence and resulted in the death of more than 100{{Nbsp}}people. Following the incident, a committee was set up to decide the [[standard operating procedure]]s to be followed for dispersing "unlawful assemblies with minimum force and collateral damage". The committee's report on "the standard operating procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal means" stated that the effectiveness of tear gas is limited in open areas and is also determined by the wind conditions. The report also concluded that "[p]eople have learned protective tricks like the use of wet cloth to counter it. Experienced rioters do not take it seriously. The shells are either smothered with a wet gunny bag or thrown back at the police".<ref name="crowd dispersal Report" /><ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2010/02/12/tear-gas-in-kashmir/|title=Tear gas in Kashmir|last=Stern|first=Jeffrey|date=12 February 2010|website=Foreign Policy|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref>

In August 2016, Irfan Ahmad, 18, was killed in the [[Nowhatta]] after being hit on the left side of his chest by a tear gas shell.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kashmir-unrest-teen-boy-dies-after-being-hit-by-tear-gas-shell/story-83XWaiIEABZQrmR1tR8ZsI.html|title=Kashmir unrest: Teen boy dies after being hit by tear gas shell|last=Hussain|first=Ashiq|date=21 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=28 December 2018}}</ref> The following month, an elderly man inside his home died of cardiac arrest during tear gas shelling in the [[Kulgam district]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/day-61-kulgam-man-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-amid-teargas-shelling/227907.html|title=DAY 61: Kulgam man dies of cardiac arrest amid teargas shelling|last1=Gul|first1=Khalid|date=8 September 2018|work=Greater Kashmir|access-date=28 December 2018|last2=Bashir|first2=Abid}}</ref>

The CRPF have employed several methods to reduce the collateral losses and civilian casualties from crowd control measures. After several rounds of internal testing to identify crowd control weapons that can avoid causing grievous injuries to protestors, the government introduced soft-nosed shells. During its deployment, the plastic of the shell easily melts, releasing a gas that assists in dispersing the crowd. This mechanism renders the soft-nosed shells incapable of inflicting fatal injuries. According to CRPF officers, there also have been advancements in tear smoke munitions which have made it possible to increase the use of these munitions as compared to other weapons used in crowd control. Since the summer of 2018, CRPF have been using chili bombs and soft-nosed tear gas shells.<ref name="HT_teargas2018" />

=== Plastic bullets ===
[[Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory]] under the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] (DRDO) developed [[plastic bullet]]s as an alternative to pellet guns for crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the director of the laboratory, plastic bullets are 500{{Nbsp}}times less lethal than pellets. The plastic bullets can be fired from the same rifles by changing the magazine.<ref name="Plastic Bullet DH" /> They can be fired from [[AK-47]] and [[INSAS rifle]]s commonly used by the security forces in the region.<ref name="PAVA shell">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-sends-1-lakh-plastic-bullets-chilli-filled-pava-shells-to-kashmir-valley/story-FvGHCLM1U8S9A7drB439EP.html|title=Centre sends 1 lakh plastic bullets, chilli-filled PAVA shells to Kashmir Valley|last=Ahuja|first=Rajesh|date=20 June 2017|website=Hindustan Times|access-date=4 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":12" /> According to CRPF officials, the plastic bullets can be fired only in single-shot mode and not in [[Burst mode (weapons)|burst mode]].<ref name="PAVA shell" /> Additionally, plastic bullets can be used only on one person at a time, in contrast to pellet guns which can cover a larger area and reach multiple persons.<ref name="Plastic Bullet DH" /> 21,000{{Nbsp}}rounds of plastic bullets were sent to Kashmir in 2018 for riot control.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/crpf-sends-21000-less-lethal-plastic-bullets-to-kashmir/articleshow/60988863.cms|title=CRPF sends 21000 "less lethal" plastic bullets to Kashmir|date=14 July 2018|work=The Economic Times|access-date=4 January 2019|agency=PTI}}</ref> Usage of plastic bullets is based on the list of non lethal weapons that are approved by the [[United Nations peacekeeping]] standards for crowd control.<ref name=":12" />

=== Chili grenades ===
{{Main|Chili grenade}}
Indian military scientists from [[DRDO]] developed chili grenades for use as [[stun grenade]]s against terrorists.<ref name=BBCHail /> In 2009, DRDO stated that the chili grenades would use [[bhut jolokia]], one of the world's hottest chili powders, to control rioters and in counter-insurgency operations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8119591.stm|title=India plans hot chilli grenades|date=25 June 2009|work=BBC|access-date=31 December 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117153050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8119591.stm|archive-date=17 November 2018}}</ref> [[BBC]] reported bhut Jholokia to be 1,000 times stronger than other variants of chili. The scientists claimed that chili grenades could be adapted into "civilian variants" for crowd control in a way similar to [[pepper spray]].<ref name=BBCHail>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8584988.stm|title=India scientists hail 'multi-purpose' chillis|last=Bhaumik|first=Subir|date=24 March 2010|work=BBC|access-date=31 December 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107143213/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8584988.stm|archive-date=7 November 2016}}</ref> The chili grenades use [[Naga Morich|naga chili]] apart from bhut jolokia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|title=Army backs pepper shots, chilli grenades over pellet guns in Kashmir|last=Singh|first=Rahul|date=15 August 2016|website=Hindustan Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630052855/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/ht-exclusive-army-backs-pepper-over-pellets-in-kashmir/story-Vvc2Y3zkcuISfxxKk7pWrJ.html|archive-date=30 June 2018|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Border Security Force]] gave a demonstration to the media of chili-filled shells.  The shells were a stronger irritant than pepper spray and tear gas.<ref name=WaPo2016>{{cite news|title=Pellet guns blind too many protesters, so India seeks a new nonlethal weapon|author=Lakshmi, Rama|date=31 August 2016|access-date=19 March 2019|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pellet-guns-blind-too-many-protesters-so-india-seeks-a-new-nonlethal-weapon/2016/08/30/47d14b3e-6e11-11e6-993f-73c693a89820_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Rifles and pump-action guns are capable of firing these shells, and the guns can be assembled on police vehicles.<ref name=WaPo2016 /> In 2016, the first batch of 1,000{{Nbsp}}chili-filled grenades was sent to the [[Kashmir Valley]] for use in crowd control.<ref name=":10" />

=== Water cannon ===
[[Water cannon]]s have been used in Jammu and Kashmir to disperse violent stone-pelting crowds.<ref name=TheNational>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/india-forces-use-tear-gas-and-water-cannons-to-stop-kashmir-students-protesting-1.13365|title=India forces use tear gas and water cannons to stop Kashmir students protesting|last=Associated Press|date=24 April 2017|website=The National|access-date=31 December 2018}}</ref> These have their own limitations, such as low range, limitations of refilling, and inability of the water cannon-mounted trucks to access small lanes.<ref name=":9" /> An {{convert|8000|L|adj=on}} water tank can be emptied by the water cannon in eight minutes and refilling it may not be possible during a riot.<ref name="crowd dispersal Report" />

Water cannons with dyed purple water were used on a teachers' protest of July 2018 in [[Srinagar]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/18/pictures-day-18-july-2018/indian-police-fire-jet-dyed-water-water-cannon-kashmiri-government/|title=Pictures of the Day: 18 July 2018|last=Nazir|first=Yawar|date=18 July 2018|work=The Telegraph|access-date=31 December 2018|issn=0307-1235}}</ref>

===Live rounds===
Firing in the air has often been used to disperse crowds.<ref name=TheNational /> [[Ammunition|Live rounds]] have reportedly also been used by security forces against protestors during violent clashes, leading to civilian deaths.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2017/04/unrest-in-kashmir-surges-once-more/524412/|title=Unrest in Kashmir Surges Once More|last=Taylor|first=Alan|date=26 April 2017|website=The Atlantic|language=en|access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref>

On 19 July 2016, the Indian army opened fire on protestors who were defying a [[curfew]] and throwing stones. Three people were killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kashmir-unrest-protests-flare-3-killed-as-army-opens-fire-330067-2016-07-19|title=Kashmir unrest: Protests flare, 3 killed as army opens fire|date=19 July 2016|website=India Today|agency=Reuters|access-date=2 March 2019}}</ref> On 15 December 2018, [[Counterinsurgency|counterinsurgency operations]] were carried out against militants in Sirnoo village in [[Pulwama]], Kashmir.<ref name="NDTV_Sirnoo">{{cite news |title=7 Dead In Firing By Forces In Clashes After Encounter In J&K's Pulwama |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/6-dead-in-firing-by-security-forces-in-clashes-after-pulwama-encounter-1963013 |access-date=2 April 2019 |work=NDTV.com |date=15 December 2018}}</ref> Three militants and a soldier were killed in the gunfight that ensued. Civilian protestors who gathered at the site violently clashed with the Indian forces, in which seven civilians died with bullet wounds and several others were wounded with pellet injuries.<ref name=":14">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/15/world/asia/india-kashmir-protest.html|title=Seven Civilians Killed as Indian Police Fire on Kashmir Protesters|agency=Reuters|date=15 December 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=2 March 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Bibliography ==
* Bukhari, Mannan (2015). ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=43ZJCgAAQBAJ&q=pellet+guns+kashmir Kashmir - Scars of Pellet Gun: The Brutal Face of Suppression].'' Partridge Publishing. {{ISBN|9781482850062}}
*[[Bureau of Police Research and Development]], Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (2011). ''[https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures Standard Operating Procedures to deal with public agitations with non-lethal measures].'' Accessed via Scribd on 27 December 2018. Archived [https://web.archive.org/web/20181227095239/https://www.scribd.com/document/327234413/Standard-operating-procedures-to-deal-with-public-agitations-with-non-lethal-measures link].
*Bureau of Police Research and Development. ''[http://www.bprd.nic.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/file/201704071029428052382STUDYREPORT27.03.2017-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf Study Report on Development and Testing of Effective Non-lethal Weapons/ Technologies and Tactics for Countering Public Agitation with Minimum Force].''
*Kriti M Shah (April 2017). [https://www.orfonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/ORF_SpecialReport_34_CivilProtests.pdf Dealing with Violent Civil Protests in India]. [[Observer Research Foundation]]

{{Jammu and Kashmir topics}}
{{Kashmir conflict}}

[[Category:Riots and civil disorder in Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Riot control]]