The CRPF has sent 21,000 rounds of newly-developed and "less lethal" plastic bullets to the Kashmir Val­ley in a bid to tackle the frequent street protests. Sources said, the bullets, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by the Ordnance factory based in Pune, can be fitted in the AK series of assault rifles and will be an alternative to the much-criticised pellet shotguns.

The usage of pellets in the Valley had come under heavy criticism after locals suffered grevious injuries. Representation Pic