Power of the Armed Forces to Shoot and Use Force

Home / Legal Explainers / Government & Elections / Government / Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act / Power of the Armed Forces to Shoot and Use Force

The power of the armed forces to shoot and use force can be used against:

any person who is violating any law, or
any person forming an assembly of five or more people, or
any person carrying weapons or things capable of being used as weapons or firearms, ammunition or explosive substances, while these are prohibited in the disturbed area. For example, if carrying lighters is prohibited and you carry one, the army can use force against you.

An officer can use these powers if they think that it is necessary to do so to maintain public order. The officer has to give due warning to the person they are shooting at.

Example: In disturbed areas various activities are not allowed. If a group of armed people create a law and order problem and try to enter a certain area where they attack an army convoy or violate the law in any other way, the armed forces officer can respond to them by shooting them.

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Ask Nyaaya

Related Resources

Power of the Army to Enter and Search by the Army

The law usually requires that a search warrant is obtained by an authority in order to search a place. But under AFSPA, the armed forces have special powers to search a place without a warrant.

No Case Against the Armed Forces

No one can file any case against any armed personnel, except when there is special permission from the Central Government.

Army Control of a Disturbed Area

When it appears to the government that a dangerous situation has developed in a certain area of the country and it requires the armed forces to take control of that area, such an area is declared as a disturbed area. The AFSPA applies in such disturbed areas.

Do’s and Dont’s of the Army

As per the Supreme Court guidelines, there are certain acts which the army should do, and acts which are prohibited before, during and after an operation.

Special Powers of the Armed Forces

The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) grants certain ‘special powers’ to the members of the armed forces in disturbed areas.

Power of the Army to Destroy Shelters/Storage

The army has the power to destroy places where armed attacks are usually made, training camps for armed volunteers, or hide-outs of armed gangs or criminal offenders.