Terrorism in Pakistan and Nuclear Weapons

It is difficult to comment directly on the threat of a nuclear attack on the US issued by a senior Al-Qaida leader. The entire world fears possible consequences if terrorists laid their hands on Pakistan's nuclear weapons. The US has warned several times that if Pakistan ever fell to terrorists or if they were very close to nuclear weapons, the US Army will seize them.

Serious Threat
The leader of Al-Qaida Afghanistan unit Mustafa-Abu Al-Wazeen made a comment in this connection. When asked for his reaction, he ruled out any such possibility.

On the contrary, he said that Mujahideen would capture the weapons and use them against the US. The conclusion that can be drawn from this statement is that terrorists will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if necessary. The US is the first on its radar. However, the question remains the same. Will at any time? The statement of Al-Qaida leader strengthens the fear.

Safety of Weapons
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has been constantly assuring the complete safety of these weapons. It is certain that the nuclear weapons have not reached terrorists. However, the international community refuses to believe him.

The US President Barack Obama had described Pakistan's nuclear weapons as a threat to both India and the US. He even called a meeting of former US secretaries of states to know their views on the subject. It is quite evident that he is thinking of a new approach to Pakistan's nuclear weapons.

Possible Nuclear Attack
Al-Qaida leader has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops from the Islamic countries and to stop granting aid to anti-Islamic countries like Israel. This condition cannot certainly be accepted. The only alternative that is left, therefore, is to be prepared to face the threat and to overcome it. A possible nuclear attack is also included in this threat.

Even otherwise, if one is ignorant about the management of nuclear weapons, it is difficult to use them. When the father of the country's nuclear technology, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan tries to sell it clandestinely, there will be no dearth of experts to advise how to use them against the US or other countries. He himself can do it. To think otherwise is like living in a fool's paradise. Therefore, it is better to preempt it. Since India is Pakistan's nearest neighbour, this statement is equally worrying for it.