ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Pakistan anticipates Indian attack on N-installations

Pakistan has warned India against any attack on its nuclear facilities, stating it would be in violation of ''our agreement against attack on such installations".

This was conveyed to Indian High commissioner to Islamabad, Satish Lambah, who was summoned to the Pakistani foreign office at 0100 hours today, says a Pakistan high commission release. ''We are fully prepared to meet any eventuality in our defence,'' the release said.

The Pakistani government said it has credible information that an Indian attack was to be mounted before dawn.

The high commissioner was asked to convey to New Delhi that ''we expect the Indian government to desist from any irresponsible act. Any such act would warrant a swift and massive retaliation with unforeseen consequences.''

The Pakistani government has also conveyed to Washington and other members of the Security Council that it faces a threat to its nuclear installations.

The statement said in the wake of the Indian nuclear tests, "we have been receiving information of the possibility of attacks on our nuclear installations. The purpose behind this action would be to prevent us from taking any appropriate decision in our supreme national interest.''

Pakistan has also stepped up security at its nuclear installations to ward off a possible Indian attack.

This comes as US intelligence reports say Pakistan is close to being able to test a nuclear device, and Pakistan's foreign minister Gohar Ayub Khan says preparations are complete and all that remains is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief's order to detonate.

Pakistan's military confirmed its troops were on alert at Pakistan's nuclear installations around the country.

''It would be a natural thing following irresponsible statements from across the border... Every country should be vigilant,'' said an army spokesman, who cannot be identified under usual briefing rules.

Two of Pakistan's biggest nuclear installations are within 50 km from the capital city Islamabad.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report