US has plan to ‘snatch-and-grab’ Pakistan’s nuclear weapons

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Former president Pervez Musharraf warned that a snatch-and-grab operation by the US would lead to all-out war between the countries, calling it total confrontation by the whole nation against whoever comes in.
“These are assets which are the pride of Pakistan, assets which are dispersed and held in very secure places, guarded by a corps of 18,000 soldiers,” he said in an interview with NBC News. “(This) is not an army which doesn’t know how to fight. This is an army which has fought three wars. Please understand that,” he said.
Pervez Hoodboy, a best known nuclear physicist and a human rights advocate, rarely agrees with the former president. But he, too, says a US attempt to take control of Pakistan’s nukes would be foolhardy. “They are said to be hidden in tunnels under mountains, in cities, as well as regular air force and army bases,” he said.
“A US snatch operation could trigger war; it should never be attempted.” These statement came after a media report stating that the US has a contingency plan to “snatch-and-grab” Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, if and when the US president believes they are threat to either America or its interests.
Plans have been drawn up for dealing with worst-case scenarios, NBC news reported quoting current and former US officials, who say that ensuring security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons has long been a high US security priority even before 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The US media report said that Pakistan plunging into internal chaos, terrorist mounting a serious attack against a nuclear facility, hostilities breaking out with India or extremist taking charge of the government. NBC said that the military operation that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in May has fulled concerns about nuclear arsenal.
The report said there were increasing suspicions among US officials that Osama had support within its premier intelligence agency and the Abbottabad operation had emboldened those in Washington who believe an orchestrated campaign of lightning raids to secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could succeed.
In the aftermath of the Osama raid, US military officials have testified before Congress about the security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and the threat posed by loose nukes – nuclear weapons or materials outside the government’s control. And earlier Pentagon reports also outline scenarios in which US forces would intervene to secure nuclear weapons that were in danger of falling into the wrong hands.
Such discussions of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, now believed to consist of as many as 115 nuclear bombs and missile warheads, have gotten the attention of current and former Pakistani officials. Despite such comments, interviews with current and former US officials, military reports and even congressional testimony indicate that Pakistan’s weaponry has been the subject of continuing discussions, scenarios, war games and possibly even military exercises by US intelligence and special forces.
“It’s safe to assume that planning for the worst-case scenario regarding Pakistan nukes has ready taken place inside the US government,” said Roger Cressey, former deputy director of counter-terrorism in the Clinton and Bush White House. “This issue remains one of the highest priorities of the US intelligence community … and the White House.”
Jeffrey T Richelson, an intelligence historian, has written extensively about the possibility of a US military operation aimed at Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, notably in his 2009 book Defusing Armageddon. The book focuses on the US Nuclear Emergency Search Team (NEST), which might play leading role in disarming nuclear weapons along with elements of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).
The nuts-and-bolts of how such an operation would work –such as whether teams would attempt to disarm or destroy the weapons –remain highly classified. But Richelson notes that without referring to Pakistan by name, Gen Peter Pace, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in 2006 discussed two types of operations where in which the US military would seek to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of al Qaeda or other militants.

11 COMMENTS

  1. USA has no such plan alone but could had local collaborationist in government to do so.The way PPPZ,MQM,ANP,MLQ has destroyed national infrastructure,RAILWAYS,PIA,PSML,OGDC, PETROLEUM ,GAS,Energy,WAPDA,KALABAGH DAM and looted it;it is capabable of destroying our nuclear arsenal.They are for money and power,howsoever,it conmes,it is welcome.LOOK THE MQM ABSONDONER,the NRO CHARGE SHEETED altaf hussein,,BRISH NATIONAL COMMANDS NATIONAL POLITICS AND ppp-zARDARI daily five times on Tv from london and zardari LICKS his SHOES AND TOES TO KEEP HIS POWER.what A SHAME.MQM GIVES pppz,ANP lists of 500 criminala,target killers of Karachi,but Zardari,the king does niot give one ‘name of MQMS ‘deshgarsdds, karachi talibans.killers of thousands and bathakhors of billions of dollars in parliament in reply suggesting treachery to country that mqm has bo target killers..THEIS THE BEGHARIAT,DAKOO,MOST CORRUPT GOVERRNMENT OF PAKISTAN HELL BOUND TO BREAK IT NOW BY IMORE ‘SUBAS;IN pUNJAB,under the watch of parliament,SCP,Defense fotrces etc.Equally besharm is peole who are sold for Rs1000/OF Benzair fund though funded from their own hungry stomachs.eQYUALLY TRAITORS ARE TV CHannels ARY,EXPRESS,FDUNYA,GEO,B=NEWSONE,EXPRESS,AJJ,SAMAA,cnbc AND THEIR MQM ghulam TV anchors,newscasters,TVanalsts truggering mutiny and anarchy in pakistan to suit MQM interests.

  2. YOU CAN EXPECT ANYTHING IN pAKISTAN.we HAVE TRAITORS,mIR jaffers,MIR sadiks WHO FOR MONEY AND POWER CAN SELL EVERYTHING OR SYSTEMATICALLY DESTRUCT IT TO PERPETUATE POWER .look HOW PSML,Railways,PIA,WAPDA,ELECTRICUI=ITY,WAPDA,ogdc,ogra,have been destroyed and plundered.LOOK AT THE TRAITORS WHO DAY ANF NIGHT TRIGGER MUTINY IN ARMY,INVITE iNDIA TO TAKE BACK 6CRORE mUHAJIRS,,AND ppp-zARDAI LICKS aLTAF hussein boots of Britishers,target killers of thousands,bathakhors of billions daily coomands Pakistan five times on TV from London.YOu can expect this government,PPPZ,MQM,ANP,ML-Choudries tio sell your nuclear arsenal to USA like drones attacjking us to retain their power and trillions wealth.may Allah destroy thenm abnd their children,families to pieces.

  3. The USA was very upset when two nuclear powers emerged – resorted to its standard reaction, when it is upset – impose sanctions. Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) had nuclear weapons – initially it was known the balance of terror and mutually assured destruction -MAD. The USA did not react to China's nuclear programme. But the US changed its policy nuclear power.. the Non-Proliferation Treaty was something the US wanted everyone sign.
    The USA was doing it for its own good and for invading countries without facing a nuclear retaliation. When the sanctions in the long run did not have the desired impact – on India and Pakistan – the USA conceived a new idea – War on Nuclear Terror. Which was shortened to War on Terror. The Terror part went to Afghanistan and the anti -WMD went to Iraq – because there was no plan how to get rid of nuclear weapons from South Asia. US forces accumulated in Pakistan. The Raymond Davis exposed a plot to make it look like that Al-Qaeda intended to steal Pakistan's nuclear weapons.
    The USA was also not happy with Pakistan and India wanted to buy Iranian gas. The USA moved to supply nuclear power plants to India with lots of strings attached. The US even wanted Pakistan to cut ties with Iran. The USA has been fighting two wars which have been a drain on its economy – the USA economy was badly hit 2008 when giant corporations, huge insurance companies and banks shut down. The US never really recovered from that shock. The problem of nuclear armed Pakistan and India remained. The US has become more afraid of China after it was declared the world's 2nd largest economy- the USA wants India to take on China, use its nuclear weapons if it has to. Pakistan's friendship with China is a problem the USA does not like. With US economy faltering – the US will have less influence on future events. The adventure in Libya is a reigning disaster. Attempting to steal nuclear weapons from Pakistan will be very dangerous for NATO and USA.. A nuclear confrontation will result in MAD. USA will have to first sort out its economic problems then think consider influencing the world if it can.

  4. It is indeed a major agenda point in the US list for Pakistan, but what needs some scrutiny as to why suddenly Mr.Musharraf has sounded this warning? Irrespective of his motives the US is currently working on Baluchistan. So let us also concentrate on this while the Nuclear Assets are ably secure. The US also knows what it means to Pakistan.There is clear difference of opinion between the US Military and the civilian administration. Our current political state and players are however also an asset for the enemies, be it US or others.

  5. MAD? Are there any Pak missiles that can endanger US interests?
    Mr 10% has a special offer on at present, Pak nukes free to collector

    • So called Mr. True Pakistan, you seem to be an Indian agent, a paid Indian agent to repeat rotten terms of Mr. 10%. You seem to put your brains, if any, on shelves when you write comments. Pakistan needs stupid minds like you to destroy itslef. It is present PPP govt who has banned US consulate in Quetta, defeied openly US interests by not giving in to US pressures, and finally for your empty head, Pakistan has become 4rth largest nuclear power during last two years. Read Newyork Times and Washinton Post.

  6. Due to variety of reasons both domestic and foreign this is possible. We are Nuclear country but lack all basic necessities. Remember USSR which later became Russia is also a Nuclear Powered country but no one could stop it when the time came for Ta Ta Bye Bye. If we want to safe guard our country from any outside intrusion the "Unity" at all levels must be first priority. Stop taking dictation from any foreign country. All have their own interest. Top priority must be to strengthen democracy at all costs. If today we have corrupt politicians and government functionaries tomorrow we won't have the same. Bottom Line: Love your country as yourself.

  7. Obviously Pakistan lied about Bin Laden and they willingly harbor those who would use the Nukes against the people of the US.
    The Pakistani risk is too high. Let us not wait for a demonstration such as occurred in New York. I pray we have learned our lesson.

  8. First US secured its own nuclear weapons because its nuclear weapons are more unsafe than Pakistan. USA also advised to stop the nonsense propaganda about the safety and security of Pakistani nuclear weapons. It is a established fact that Pakistani nuclear weapons and nuclear installations well defended and most secured in the world.

  9. Pakistan's nuclear weapons are not safe, and you know that. In fact, it is safe from Americans, but not safe from the terrorists, since part of Pakistan's plan is to slip a number to the terrorists so that they could fight a war with India and the US under the guise that they are terrorists. They are terrorists alright, but they are nonetheless mambers fo the ISI and Pak Army.

  10. pakistan nuke attack on america on 25 january 2012 submarine or nuclear ship to be used is this news is correct ?

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