The Indian army has begun arming its personnel with the newly designed “Asmi” machine pistol, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of civilians in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The introduction of the “Asmi” marks a disturbing escalation in the use of military force against the region’s population, already reeling from ongoing human rights abuses.
Developed in collaboration with India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the “Asmi” is a hybrid weapon that functions both as a pistol and a sub-machine gun. It is specifically designed for use in close-quarters operations, such as house raids and urban military actions. This has sparked alarm among human rights advocates, who fear it will further fuel the ongoing oppression in the region.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the weapon’s deployment is likely to exacerbate the already dire situation in the Kashmir Valley, where civilians have long been subjected to military violence. Civil society groups have called for an immediate ban on the “Asmi,” warning that its use would increase the risk of rights violations against the region’s vulnerable population.
The rollout of the “Asmi” pistol coincides with heightened political tensions in the region. In a significant move, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly recently passed a resolution demanding the restoration of Article 370, which granted the region special autonomy. The resolution calls for the reinstatement of the constitutional provisions that allowed Jammu and Kashmir a degree of self-rule, provisions that were revoked by the Indian government on August 5, 2019. Despite resistance from BJP members, the resolution was backed by a majority of lawmakers, with National Conference leader and Deputy Chief Minister, Surinder Singh Choudhary, spearheading the motion.
As the situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to unfold, the combination of military escalation and political unrest threatens to further destabilize the region, deepening the suffering of its people.
