Stinky bombs imported from Israel flop in India

The “stink bombs” that Centre reportedly imported from Israel as a non-lethal method to quell protests in the restive regions of India, including in the Kashmir Valley, has turned out to be a disappointment, according to news reports.

A Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official told Hindustan Times that a few samples of the “Israeli product” was tested a few months back, but was found to be “ineffective.”

“Tests were conducted and the stink bomb was found ineffective. Those who can ignore smell can drink the liquid also,” the CRPF official, who HT says has seen the report of the test, said on condition of anonymity.

"Maybe Indians have a higher threshold of tolerating stench," another CRPF official was quoted as saying in Huffington Post.

The CRPF official informed the bomb was called “Skunk” and came in liquid form.

According a report in The Telegraph in May, which cited an official at the Intelligence Bureau, the bomb was scheduled to be tried in the Kashmir Valley to rein in stone-pelters.

The article quoted an official at Border Security Force’s (BSF) Tear Smoke Unit as saying that using Skunk in the Valley may be seen as offensive to Muslims, as those offering namaz are required to “maintain physical purity.”

The Israeli army deploys “Skunk” to control protests in Palestine, according to both The Telegraph and Hindustan Times.

The Telegraph article also cited a statement by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh when he had promised to use “less lethal” ammunition.