US express confidence over security of Pakistani nukes

Expressing its confidence over the security of Pakistan’s nuclear assets, the US State Department has offered condolence over the Kamra Airbase attack.

In quite a sensitive operation, the Pakistani security forces killed nine militants after heavily equipped militants stormed a PAF Airbase in Kamra, Attock.

Expressing condolence, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said the US had no reason to doubt Pakistan’s account that the Minhas base was free of nuclear weapons.

She commented, “We have confidence that the government of Pakistan is well aware of the range of potential threats to its nuclear arsenal and has secured its nuclear arsenal accordingly. We do talk about these issues and support Pakistani efforts to keep them secure and we have for quite a long, long time.”.

The spokesperson further said that Pakistanis had suffered more than their share at the hands of militants inside the country, which speaks to our efforts to address this threat jointly.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF), in a statement, said nine attackers dressed in military uniforms and armed with rocket-propelled grenades and suicide vests carried out a pre-dawn assault at the base in Kamra.

The attack t came as the United States and Pakistan take steps to enhance cooperation, which has been severely strained in recent months over several incidents, including the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden and NATO airstrike at Salala check-post.

Earlier, US Department of Defense had said that they have no indication that the Kamra airbase attack endangered Pakistan’s nukes.

While speaking to the media, Commander Bill Speaks said that it was a concern and that they were saddened by it. He added, “We would also commend Pakistani security forces for their efforts in repelling the attack”.

Some section of the international press claimed that the PAF base in Kamra is home to Pakistan’s nuclear assets.

While replying to a query on the safety of Pakistan’s nukes, he said that they were working obviously closely with their Pakistani counterparts to discuss the safety and protection of their nuclear program.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=31155

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Aug 17 2012. Filed under USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.