Radicalisation in Pak military can lead to hijacking of nuke weapons : scientist
| Source: VSK- ANDHRA PRADESH Date: 2/1/2013 4:02:13 PM |
London, Feb 1, 2013 : Increasing radicalisation within Pakistan’s military could lead to its nuclear weapons being hijacked by radical Islamists, a Pakistani scientist has warned.
“Safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is of a major concern. The growing radicalisation within the military, given attacks on its own internal bases, could lead to these nuclear weapons being hijacked by radical Islamists,” said Pervez Hoodbhoy, who was here for the London launch of his book ‘Confronting the Bomb’.
The nuclear physicist and defence analyst estimated Pakistan’s arsenal to be similar to India’s, at around 120-130 warheads. He was answering questions from members of the Indian Journalists’ Association at the Indali Lounge here last evening.
“Earlier, such weapons were seen just as a means of deterrence. The most dangerous development is the increasing search for fissile material as a new dimension of tactical nuclear war has entered the picture. This means the number of weapons will steadily increase,” he said.
Hoodbhoy, who received his PhD in nuclear physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), stressed that the issue needs to be addressed for the sake of sub-continental as well as global security.
“India and Pakistan have come close to nuclear war at least five times – in 1987, 1990, during Kargil (1999), after the attack on the Indian Parliament (2001) and the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
Given the history of nuclear tension, we can’t afford to be passive on this issue. The fallout, from the blast itself to the radioactive effects, will be felt not just in the sub-continent but around the world,” he said.
“Confronting the Bomb : Pakistani & Indian Scientists Speak Out”, published by Oxford University Press and edited by Hoodbhoy, is a compilation of essays by scientists from both sides of the border.
It kicks off with the atomic age in India in 1974, followed by Pakistan and traces the furious nuclear race after the 1998 nuclear tests.
“Pakistan started developing its nuclear weapons only because India embarked on it. India has remained primary enemy. But to some extent that perception is changing, with Gen Kayani [Chief of Pakistani Army Staff] recently saying that Pakistan’s major challenge is the enemy within.
So there seems to be a doctrinal shift within the army but Kayani himself is under attack within the forces,” said Hoodbhoy, who admits receiving threats against his own life.
“Jihadists still operate within Pakistan and the state’s policy regarding Islamists has been a confused one,” added Hoodbhoy, a visiting professor in the physics department at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). He is known for speaking out against the Pak’s nuclear establishment. He is now even sceptical of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in India and Pakistan. “Whether electricity generated from nuclear sources is really efficient is a big question mark.
“The construction of nuclear reactors is very expensive and should an accident similar to Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011 were to occur in India or Pakistan, both countries may not have the capacity to deal with it the same way,” he added.
“Safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is of a major concern. The growing radicalisation within the military, given attacks on its own internal bases, could lead to these nuclear weapons being hijacked by radical Islamists,” said Pervez Hoodbhoy, who was here for the London launch of his book ‘Confronting the Bomb’.
The nuclear physicist and defence analyst estimated Pakistan’s arsenal to be similar to India’s, at around 120-130 warheads. He was answering questions from members of the Indian Journalists’ Association at the Indali Lounge here last evening.
“Earlier, such weapons were seen just as a means of deterrence. The most dangerous development is the increasing search for fissile material as a new dimension of tactical nuclear war has entered the picture. This means the number of weapons will steadily increase,” he said.
Hoodbhoy, who received his PhD in nuclear physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), stressed that the issue needs to be addressed for the sake of sub-continental as well as global security.
“India and Pakistan have come close to nuclear war at least five times – in 1987, 1990, during Kargil (1999), after the attack on the Indian Parliament (2001) and the Mumbai attacks in 2008.
Given the history of nuclear tension, we can’t afford to be passive on this issue. The fallout, from the blast itself to the radioactive effects, will be felt not just in the sub-continent but around the world,” he said.
“Confronting the Bomb : Pakistani & Indian Scientists Speak Out”, published by Oxford University Press and edited by Hoodbhoy, is a compilation of essays by scientists from both sides of the border.
It kicks off with the atomic age in India in 1974, followed by Pakistan and traces the furious nuclear race after the 1998 nuclear tests.
“Pakistan started developing its nuclear weapons only because India embarked on it. India has remained primary enemy. But to some extent that perception is changing, with Gen Kayani [Chief of Pakistani Army Staff] recently saying that Pakistan’s major challenge is the enemy within.
So there seems to be a doctrinal shift within the army but Kayani himself is under attack within the forces,” said Hoodbhoy, who admits receiving threats against his own life.
“Jihadists still operate within Pakistan and the state’s policy regarding Islamists has been a confused one,” added Hoodbhoy, a visiting professor in the physics department at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). He is known for speaking out against the Pak’s nuclear establishment. He is now even sceptical of the peaceful uses of nuclear technology in India and Pakistan. “Whether electricity generated from nuclear sources is really efficient is a big question mark.
“The construction of nuclear reactors is very expensive and should an accident similar to Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011 were to occur in India or Pakistan, both countries may not have the capacity to deal with it the same way,” he added.
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Hyderabad, January 31, 2013 : Hindu Chaitanya Shibiram a three days camp was organised by R.S.S. (Purva Andhra Pranth) on the eve of "Completed 75 years of established the RSS in Andhra Pradesh" at Satavahananagar, on Vijayawada-Guntur highway, close to toll gate near Kaza village from 18th to 20th January 2013.
The inaugural function was held on 18th January and those who occupied the dais were Sarkaryavah (All India General Secretary) of RSS Ma.Sri Bhayyaji Joshi, Sri K.C.Kannan, Sri Madhubai, Sri Bhagayya, Sri Rammadhav, Sri Ajit and Sri Jagdish Prasad. Among those prominent citizens who participated in the event were Justice Parvatarao, Sri Somayajulu, Sri Raghavulu and Sri Mangesh.
A great Patha Sanchalan (Route March) was held on 19th, the 2nd day of Sibir, participated thousands of swayamsevaks who attended in the 3 day sibir, in two cities Vijayawada and Guntur. The people welcomed in solid the swayamsevaks by flowers and harati.
In Satavahananagar, venue of the camp, thousands of swayamsevaks hailing from 11 Districts came out from 15 tents and assembled before BhagavaDhwajam and greeted elders on the stage with Ghosh (Band). On the eve of public function, reception committee president and Viswa Hindu Parishad Vice President Sri Gokaraju Gangaraju in his address told that untouchability is a sin and religious conversions should be stopped.
Pujaniya Sarsanghachalak Ma.Sri Mohanji Bhagavat in his address talked about environmental issues and the turbulent times the world is faced with like destruction of families and asked to rekindle the ancient value system prevalent in India and to spread this message to the world. If one observes the way Pakistan is behaving with India for the last few days, one can say it is not a friendly but enemy country. China is equally dangerous. Due to the weak border areas, drug trafficking, weapons and fake currency exchange go unchecked. The policies being adopted in our country are not helpful to the well-being of the nation. Price rise, foreign direct investments in retail sector, caste and regional differences are creating disappointment and despair among the people.
In starting the function the swayamsevaks who participated in the 3 day sibir, demonstrated the physical exercises, those are Vyayam Yog (Drill with stick), Pataak Vyayaam (Drill with small flags), Yoga, Surya Namaskar and Ghosh. The thousands of visitors watched and enjoyed the demonstrations.
Bhopal, February 1: Kiran Bhabor has good jobs as a hostel warden and nursing college teacher. But the 33-year-old doesn't have a husband. For over a decade, she has looked unsuccessfully for a suitable partner. Even the efforts of her Bhil tribal family have failed to turn up any candidates. But Bhabor has hopes that her luck might soon improve.
Kochi, January 30, 2013 : In Kochi city the District collector Mr. Sheik Pareet took great initiative for all our Swami Vivekananda 150th birth anniversary celebration. Because of all Sangh organisational effort the famous Boat Jetty in the centre part of Kochi city is going to be named as Swami Vivekanada Boat jetty.
Bangalore, January 30, 2013 : Swami Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary was an occasion for everyone which imbued the spirit of national enthusiasm. With the objective of facilitating the awakening of the whole humanity thus actualizing the vision – Wake up Bhart! Enlighten the World!!. The day was celebrated at nooks and corners across India.
NEW DELHI/BANGALORE, January 30:Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanngh (RSS) Wednesday strongly condemned the uncharitable remarks made by Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson about the organization ‘celebrating the Mahatma’s assassination’.
Dr Vaidya quoted a telegram sent to Pt. Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and Mahatma’s son Devdas Gandhi by the second RSS Sarsanghchalak the late M S Golwalkar alias Sri Guruji on January 30, 1948. The telegram said:
Chennai, January 30, 2013 : Vishwesha Tirtha Swamiji of Pejawar Math on Wednesday said the university proposed to be set up by the Union Government in Srirangapatna could be named after non-controversial persons such as Kabir, Shishunal Sharif, Maulana Azad or Abdul Kalam instead of Tipu Sultan.
Hasan January 27, 2013: RSS Hasan district unit organised special convention ‘YUVA SHAKTI SANGAMA’ to commemorate Swamy Vivekanana’s 150th Birth Anniversary this evening.
More than 2000 RSS Swayamsevaks dressed in Sangh Uniform (Ganavesh) participated in the event. RSS Akhil Bharatiya Sah Vyavastha Pramukh Mangesh Bhende,
Somashekara Swamiji of Halebeedu Pushpagiri Mutt, RSS Pranth Sanghachalak M Venkaratam, RSS Mysore Vibhag Sanghachalak Dr Vaman Rao Bapat were present on the dais. Earlier to Public function, there was Path Sanchalan, Route March by RSS Swayamsevaks in streets of Hasan.
Bangalore : Congress MLA of Bangalore, Dinesh Gundurao, Inaugurated Swamy Vivekananda 150th Birth celebrations at Ckikkapet, Bangalore recently on January 12. RSS Pranth Karyavah N Tippeswamy, Swamiji of Beli Mutt, Local BJP MP PC Mohan, local BJP corporator Shivakumar and several other leaders were present. The programme was organisesd by an RSS initiative platform to commemorate Swamy Vivekananda’s 150th Birth Anniversary.
Kochi, January 30, 2013 : Vivekananda jayanthi-January 12th programme of Kochi mahanagar- Kerala, have a delightful and dignified participation from the part of district administration and also from political leaders including Congress Party. They gave permission to conduct function in childrens park which is the heart of the city and also where the Swami Vivekananda's statue also situated.
Newsbharati: The Government of India has honored Milind Kamble, a prominent face in the Dalit movement of India with most coveted ‘Padmashree” award this year.
Malaysia: Leaflets inviting people to a “Bible-burning festival” have stirred outrage in Malaysia. This coincided with a nationalist group leader urging to “seize and burn” Malay-language Bibles, prompting calls for his prosecution.