Chili Grenades Tested by Indian Army

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - India is spicing up its arsenal by testing chili powder in grenades, according to the Times of India .

These "chili-nades" are designed to work like tear gas. The goal is to immobilize people – but not kill them. The device could be used for crowd control and counterterrorism operations.

Scientists have been testing bhut jolokia, known as the "ghost chili." It is believed to be 1,000 hotter than chili commonly served in restaurants.

"The chili grenade is a non-toxic weapon and when used would force a terrorist to come out of his hideouts as the smell is so pungent that it would literally choke them," said R.B. Srivastava, senior scientist and director of India's Defense Research and Development, told The Siasat (India) Daily .

Initial tests of the grenades went well, officials said.

Scientists also said the chili could be used as food for troops stationed in cold regions, and spread army barracks fences to repel animals.

Chili's apparent versatility may explode in some unusual, non-military areas.

"There are other applications as well, what we call women power. A specially made chili powder could act as a tool for women to keep away anti-socials and work in this regard is also on," Srivastava said.

India has been working on a chili grenade for more than a year .

Scientists aren't the only ones who have recognized this super-hot chili. The Guinness Book of World Records listed bhut jolokia as the hottest of all spices.

How hot is the "ghost chili"? A chili's pungency is measured in Scoville Heat Units. For example, a bell pepper registers zero units. The bhut jolokia chalked up a scorching 1,001,304 SHUs during a test in 2006.