CRPF DG K Durga feels sorry for pellet injuries in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: CRPF director general K Durga Prasad on Monday apologised for injuries caused to people by use of pellet gun in Kashmir but said they would continue to use it. His statements comes a day after home minister Rajnath Singh’s two-day Kashmir visit.

CRPF DG said they were studying the versions of pellet guns available worldwide to identify the less lethal options. "We feel sorry for the pellet injuries in Kashmir. CRPF personnel have been asked to aim below the knee level. We are examining versions for pellet guns available worldwide to identify less lethal options," he said.

The officer said that pellet guns were used after all options were exhausted. "We use pellet guns only when the situation is going out of control and where loss of life (of jawans) is imminent. We use them only in extreme situations," said Prasad.

The officer informed that during the ongoing Kashmir unrest, which spiralled after Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was gunned down in an encounter on July 8, CRPF personnel fired 2223 times from the pellet guns. CRPF also fired 136 stun grenades to control the people who were pelting stones at the forces.