ISLAMABAD: The Modi regime’s unrelenting use of illegal weapons and pellet guns, along with other cruel tactics, against the Kashmiri people in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has been strongly condemned by human rights advocates.
Despite international outcry and clear violations of human rights, the Indian government continues its brutal crackdown, employing tactics that are regarded as inhumane by global standards.
The use of pellet guns, particularly since July 09, 2016, has resulted in numerous casualties, including deaths and severe injuries, leaving many with life-altering consequences. The indiscriminate use of these weapons, especially against peaceful protestors, has raised serious concerns about human rights violations and the excessive use of force in the region.
In an alarming trend, the brutal Indian forces’ use of pellet guns has resulted in at least 92 people losing their eyesight, and over 1,500 individuals sustaining serious injuries since 2010. Despite being deemed a “non-lethal” alternative, these pellet guns have caused significant harm, leading to the loss of lives and devastating injuries, particularly among children and bystanders.
Use of Pellet Guns in Violation of International Laws
The use of pellet guns is violation of international laws and principles governing the use of force by law enforcement officials. The UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, as well as the UN Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials, explicitly state that force should only be used when strictly necessary and in proportion to the situation. The ongoing use of pellet guns in Kashmir, however, violates these principles, leading to arbitrary deaths and grievous wounds among protestors.
Despite calls from human rights organizations and international bodies, the Indian government’s continued use of these weapons has gone unchecked. The injuries inflicted by pellet guns have not been thoroughly investigated, and victims have faced further challenges, including arrests and prosecution when seeking medical assistance.
The international community has been urged to press India to halt the use of pellet guns immediately. Advocates for human rights emphasize that the world powers must intervene to protect the rights of the Kashmiri people, who have long been struggling for their right to self-determination and freedom from Indian oppression.
