The home ministry asked the security forces to use non-penetrative plastic bullets in place of pellet guns to tackle stone-pelters and violent mobs during protests in Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the non-lethal pellet guns would continue to be in use as an alternative.
The plastic bullets are non-penetrative and can be fired from INSAS rifles.
Thousands of plastic bullets have already been dispatched to the Kashmir Valley for their use by enforcement agencies.
Security forces often face violent protests and stone pelting mobs, especially during stiff resistance from the locals, when they are engaged in gunfight with militants, who at times manage to escape with the help of the crowd.
So far, security forces are using PAVA shells and pellet guns, the last option in the non-lethal category before the use of assault rifles, to control the mobs.
Pelargonic Acid Vanillyl Amide is a chilli-based ammunition, which is less lethal and immobilises the target temporarily.