Pakistan
In the wake of a significant smuggling operation in India, Pakistan has raised serious concerns regarding the security and safety measures surrounding nuclear and radioactive materials in the neighboring country.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, expressed grave apprehension following the arrest of a gang in India found in possession of Californium, a highly radioactive and toxic substance.
The smuggled Californium, valued at approximately US$100 million, was discovered during a recent operation in Bihar.
Baloch highlighted that this latest incident is part of a troubling pattern of recurring thefts and illegal sales of radioactive materials in India.
She pointed out that similar cases involving Californium were reported as recently as 2021, underscoring a persistent issue.
Additionally, last month, five individuals were apprehended in Dehradun with a radioactive device stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC), further amplifying concerns about the safety and security of such sensitive materials.
The spokesperson criticized New Delhi for its handling of these incidents, suggesting that they reflect poorly on India’s measures to safeguard nuclear and radioactive substances.
“These recurring incidents call into question the effectiveness of New Delhi’s protocols for managing and securing nuclear and radioactive materials,” Baloch remarked. She also indicated that these events might point to a burgeoning black market for sensitive, dual-use materials within India.
The recent arrest in Bihar involved three individuals who were apprehended with 50 grams of Californium, a substance with a staggering value of approximately INR850 crore on the international market.
The suspects were caught in Gopalganj with the Californium, four mobile phones, and a motorcycle. Each gram of this rare material is valued at around INR17 crore, highlighting the substantial economic and security risk posed by such illegal activities.
Given the sensitive nature of Californium, which poses significant health risks if mishandled, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has been alerted to conduct a thorough investigation.
The DAE, which oversees the regulation and safety of nuclear materials in India, will play a crucial role in tracing the origin of the smuggled Californium and ensuring proper handling and security measures are in place to prevent future incidents.
Pakistan has called for transparency and a comprehensive investigation into these smuggling cases, stressing the need for robust measures to prevent the recurrence of such dangerous incidents.
The international community is urged to closely monitor the situation and ensure that appropriate actions are taken to address the growing concerns over nuclear safety and security in the region.
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