NEW DELHI: Pellet guns, which are being used by security forces for crowd control in Jammu and Kashmir, will not be completely banned but will be fired in “rarest of rare cases”, a top Government official said today.
Senior Government functionaries have arrived at this conclusion after extensive consultations with security forces and examining the ground realities in Kashmir Valley.
The option of firing pellet guns will remain but it will be used only in rarest of rare cases, the official said.
The Government is facing severe criticism for using the pellet guns for crowd control in Kashmir Valley as the weapon has caused large-scale injuries in the 51-day unrest following killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani on July 8.
During his two-day visit to Kashmir on August 24-25, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said an alternative to pellet guns will be given to security forces in the coming days. (AGENCIES)