The Indian military has a new weapon against terrorism: the world's hottest chilli.
After conducting tests, the military has decided to use the thumb-sized bhut jolokia, or "ghost chilli" to make tear gas-like hand grenades to immobilise suspects, defence officials said yesterday. The bhut jolokia has more than 1,000,000 Scoville units, the scientific measurement of a chilli's spiciness. Classic Tabasco sauce ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville units, while jalapeno peppers measure from 2,500 to 8,000.
"The chilli grenade has been found fit for use after trials in Indian defence laboratories," said Colonel R. Kalia, a defence spokesman in the northeastern state of Assam, said.