India, July 24 -- The allegations of the use of "pellet guns" - pump-action shotguns that fire cartridges containing hundreds of tiny metal or rubber balls - during Monday's crackdown on protesters in Delhi has once again brought under scrutiny the controversial weapon which was first used in the country by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) during stone-pelting incidents in 2009-10 in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)

While the Delhi Police has denied deploying or using them, CRPF officials refused comment on their use in the Capital.

Security officials and former officers said these so-called pellet guns are modified pump-action shotguns that fire a cartridge packed with hundreds of small metallic pellets. When discharged, the cartridge bu...