Indian Army introduces new machine pistols for house raids in IIOJK
Locals, civil rights groups demand ban on weapon
Srinagar: The Indian Army has introduced the ‘Asmi’ machine pistol, a versatile pistol-cum-machine gun, for door-to-door searches and house raids, deploying 550 units in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the ‘Asmi’ was designed by Colonel Prasad Bansod in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Lokesh Machines. It is being promoted as a crucial addition to the Army’s Northern Command, responsible for operations in IIOJK. However, the weapon’s induction has sparked concerns among residents and human rights organizations about its implications for civilian safety in the conflict-ridden region.
The compact, semi-bullpup-configured ‘Asmi’ enhances the Army’s capability for house raids and close-quarters operations, functioning both as a pistol and a submachine gun.
“The Asmi machine pistol represents a significant achievement for India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, bolstering our indigenous defence capabilities,” said a senior Army officer. Yet, deploying this weapon in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where civilians often suffer from intensified military actions, raises concerns about misuse and the heightened risk to civilian lives.
Rights groups argue that the introduction of the Asmi signals a potentially escalated approach to military interventions, posing additional risks to civilians. Civil society advocates in Kashmir have called for ban on the equipment to prevent harm to the local population.
