The Controversial Use of Pellet Guns in Crowd Control: An Analysis

New Delhi, India Jul 22, 2026 ALN: The story so far: At least one of the 80 protesters injured in police action during the Monday (July 20, 2026) march to Parliament called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) sustained pellet gun injuries. The victim identified as Shaikh Irshad Mansoori (25), a resident of Gurugram, underwent surgery at a government hospital to remove the pellets lodged under his eye. Most pellets were lodged in the upper part of his body.

Another video of a woman being stunned by a “shock baton” also emerged on Tuesday (July 21, 2026). The usage of pellet guns and shock batons against civilian protesters appears to be the first in Delhi.

What are Pellet Guns?

Pellet guns are a form of non-lethal crowd-control method used by police and military worldwide. Other popular measures include tear gas, water cannons, pepper spray, and taser guns. While they are marketed as a safer alternative to firearms, their actual impact can vary significantly depending on the circumstances of their use.

Pellet guns are also popular in hunting and pest control. Intended to immobilize an individual, they are effective over short ranges up to 500 yards, but when fired from close quarters, they can be lethal, particularly when sensitive areas like the eyes are hit. The pellets can penetrate soft tissues, leading to serious injuries or even fatalities in extreme cases.

There are standing instructions to open minimal fire at protesters and, if necessary, “below their waist.” A cartridge of a pellet gun contains a few hundred pellets made of lead and disperses over several hundred meters when fired. Pellets can be of various shapes, either like ball bearings or irregular. When fired, the cartridge disperses several hundred pellets over a distance depending on the type. The potential for injury escalates dramatically in close-range encounters, which raises questions about the protocols governing their use.

They are manufactured at the Ordinance Factory, Ishapore, which is one of the key facilities in India for producing arms and ammunition. The factory has been a significant contributor to the country's defense needs, producing various types of munitions and weapons systems for both the military and law enforcement agencies.

How Were Pellet Guns Used During the July 20 Protest in Delhi?

While Delhi Police has denied their use against protesters, pellet guns and shock batons are part of the gear of the Rapid Action Force (RAF)—the anti-riot unit under the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)—which was deployed alongside police personnel on July 20 and continues to be stationed near the Jantar Mantar protest site. The presence of these units indicates a preparedness for potential unrest, but their deployment raises concerns about the escalation of force in civilian protests.

On July 20, 2026, the victim Shaikh Irshad Mansoori was hit near Palika Bazaar by a RAF official. His friend reported that there are around 30-40 injuries on his face and all over his body. Four of them, including one in the neck, penetrated deeply, which is why he underwent surgery. The injuries sustained by Mr. Mansoori highlight the risks associated with the use of pellet guns, particularly in densely populated urban settings where crowd control can quickly become chaotic.

Originally from Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, Mr. Mansoori works at a private company in Gurugram and was attending the protests in solidarity. He also had some visa-related work in New Delhi, which he was supposed to finish after the protest on July 20, 2026. His story illustrates how everyday citizens can become collateral damage in larger political and social movements, raising ethical questions about the use of force against civilians.

What is the First Known Usage of Pellet Guns?

Pellet guns were first deployed in Jammu and Kashmir after the summer unrest of 2010 that claimed the lives of 112 protesters in police firing. The then Congress-led government at the Centre deployed pellet guns as a “non-lethal” measure to avoid civilian fatalities. This decision was initially seen as a way to mitigate the loss of life while still maintaining order during protests.

However, after violent protests broke out in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016, several people were blinded due to injuries inflicted by pellet guns, used by the CRPF as a crowd control measure. The widespread injuries led to significant public outcry and raised serious concerns about the effectiveness and safety of pellet guns as a crowd control tool.

Why and When Were Their Specifications Changed?

In 2016, the BJP-PDP government faced severe criticism for using pellet guns, with several political parties calling for their complete withdrawal. Due to injuries inflicted by pellet guns, 13 people were killed in 2016, and more than 250 were injured, with some losing their vision. This prompted a reevaluation of the use of such weapons in civilian settings.

In 2017, the first batch of less lethal “plastic bullets” was dispatched to the Kashmir Valley. These plastic bullets were tested at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh and could be fired from the weapons that security forces already had. Instead of metal, the round of ammunition had a plastic head, which was intended to reduce the severity of injuries while still providing a means of crowd control.

In 2016, 1,022 CRPF personnel were also injured during stone-pelting incidents by protesters. Out of this, 956 were injured in the Valley between July 8-16 during the unrest. The high number of injuries on both sides highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to managing civil unrest, focusing on de-escalation and dialogue rather than force.

What is the Last Known Usage of Pellet Guns in the Country?

Pellet guns were last known to have been used during the 2024 farmers' protest at Khanuari and Shambhu Barrier along the Punjab-Haryana border. Although the police denied the use of pellet guns, farmer leaders alleged that several individuals were injured. This incident reflects the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and protest movements, particularly in the context of agricultural policies and farmer rights.

In 2023, they were used against protesters in the ethnic-strife-torn Manipur, leading to significant public outrage. The use of pellet guns in such volatile situations raises questions about the appropriateness of their deployment and the potential for exacerbating already tense circumstances.

What About Shock Batons?

Shock batons are also part of the RAF personnel gear and are designed to incapacitate individuals without causing long-term harm. They are intended for use in crowd control situations where traditional methods may be ineffective. However, their use can also lead to severe injuries if not employed judiciously.

In 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through the Border Security Force (BSF), prescribed Qualitative Requirements (QRs) for handheld ‘Shock Batons’ intended for self-defense and operational use by security personnel. It stated that the equipment should be lightweight, with a maximum weight of 1 kg and a length ranging from 450 mm to 700 mm, ensuring ease of carriage and handling. It must be constructed from high-impact resistant material, capable of functioning reliably in temperatures ranging from −20°C to +50°C and offering a minimum level of water resistance.

The shock baton should have a service life of at least five years and be powered by a rechargeable battery. Additional requirements include the capability to deliver at least 1,000 quarter-second shock bursts on a full charge, thereby ensuring sustained operational effectiveness in field conditions. The specifications indicate a shift towards more technologically advanced crowd control measures, but they also necessitate training and oversight to prevent misuse.

Implications of Using Pellet Guns and Shock Batons

The use of pellet guns and shock batons in crowd control raises significant ethical and legal questions. Critics argue that these tools can lead to excessive force and unnecessary injuries, particularly in situations where peaceful protest is occurring. The potential for misuse is a concern, as is the psychological impact on communities subjected to such measures.

Furthermore, the inter community has increasingly scrutinized the use of non-lethal weapons in crowd control. Human rights organizations have called for stricter regulations and oversight to ensure that such tools are used appropriately and do not lead to human rights violations. The implications of the recent protests and the use of pellet guns and shock batons may lead to renewed discussions about the balance between maintaining public order and protecting civil liberties.

As protests continue to evolve in India, the conversation around the use of crowd control methods will likely remain a contentious issue, reflecting broader societal tensions and the ongoing struggle for rights and representation. The events surrounding the July 20 protest in Delhi may serve as a catalyst for further debates on police accountability and the need for reform in the use of force against civilians.