ISLAMABAD, May 2: City police used huge quantity of ammunition in quelling religious militancy and street protests in the capital last year, Dawn has learnt.

Police records for the turbulent and violent year show that it fired thousands of shells, tear gas grenades and rubber and live bullets to subdue the Lal Masjid militants and rioters and to break up protests by lawyers over the dismissal of judges.

On most occasions the weapons were used “in self defence”, the police claimed.

Police used 5,614 long-range and 3,006 short-range plastic pellets-filled shells, 543 tear gas grenades, 1,213 rubber bullets, 1,671 G3 rifle bullets, 1,129 9mm bullets, and 3,645 SMG bullets in its encounters with militants and in controlling angry crowds.

A total of 367 protests were staged on the city streets last year, or one violent confrontation every day. No wonder 2007 is etched in the minds of Islamabad citizens as a year of struggle and lawlessness.

Twenty-four policemen and 312 citizens were injured in these encounters in the city streets.