Kashmiri protesters throw stones at paramilitary soldiers and policemen in Srinagar.

NEW DELHI: While there has been a furore over Kashmiri protestors getting injured with the use of pellet guns during the recent unrest in the valley, more than 2200 security personnel too suffered injuries while on duty to control stone-pelting demonstrators. What compounded the problem for the men in uniform was the use of acid bottles as a new weapon by the protesters.

On the use of pellet guns, an officer said, “It’s not that pump action guns (pellet guns) are used all the time. It’s used only when the situation gets out of control and a mob of 500-1000 people attacks 30-40 security personnel and tries to loot the armoury or damage police posts/bunkers and vehicles.” “They security personnel or cops are also human beings and sometimes they have to take action for fear of being lynched by the mob,” he said. A senior official said even after working for 14-15 hours a day, security personnel has to remain on the toes, not sure when would they faced with a mob attack again. “Several hundred jawans and police officers have received stitches on their faces, heads and elsewhere. They have to look after their colleagues too when ever a mob comes to attack,” said a senior official.

In last two weeks since street violence erupted after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, security personnel faced more than 600 attacks in the valley. In about 15 such incidents, protestors attacked police stations/ posts, camps and bunkers of forces and even looted arms. Some of the places damaged include Damhal Pora police station (from where about 70 weapons were also looted), Achabal police station in Anantnag, tehsil office at Kokernag, Range office in DH Pora, court complex in DH Pora, Narbal police station, GRP guard room and RPF barracks in Brijbehera, Damhal police post in Koshipora, a bulletproof bunker of CRPF, police post at fruit mandi Sopore and a police post in Srinagar.

“There was complete lawlessness,” said an officer. As violence has abated, forces are maintaining “maximum restraint” as per the orders, said a senior government official.

