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In a startling development, Pakistan has voiced serious concerns about India’s nuclear safety protocols following a string of radioactive material thefts. The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan issued a statement on Tuesday, highlighting the recurring incidents of nuclear and radioactive material theft and illicit sales in India.
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This statement comes on the heels of a recent arrest in Bihar, India, where authorities apprehended three individuals in possession of 50 grams of californium, a highly radioactive substance valued at approximately 8.5 billion Indian rupees.
FO spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that this is not an isolated incident. In 2021 alone, three separate cases of californium theft were reported. Last month, police in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, arrested five people with a radioactive device allegedly stolen from the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC).
These incidents raise critical questions about India’s measures to safeguard nuclear and radioactive materials. Baloch suggested the existence of a black market for sensitive, dual-use materials within India, calling for international scrutiny.
The FO urged Indian authorities to disclose how individuals obtained californium, a Sealed Radioactive Source (SRS) material typically restricted to nuclear power plants, portable metal detectors, and cancer treatment.
Pakistan reiterated its demand for a thorough investigation into these incidents and implementation of preventive measures. The country’s concern stems from a series of similar events, including the seizure of natural uranium in Maharashtra and Jharkhand in 2021.
This issue has reignited discussions about nuclear security in South Asia, with potential implications for regional stability and international non-proliferation efforts. As the international community awaits India’s response, the incident underscores the critical need for stringent controls on nuclear and radioactive materials globally.
