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Pakistan Closes Down All Nuclear Plants
By Aamir Latif
ISLAMABAD, Nov 8 (IslamOnline) - Fearing an external attack on its nuclear installations, Pakistan has indefinitely closed down all its nuclear plants as a precautionary measure.
The country's powerful army has taken the control of the plants, military sources told IslamOnline in Islamabad Thursday.
Heavy contingents of army personnel have been deployed in and around the areas where the nuclear plants are situated, a well-placed army official said, adding that anti-aircraft guns have been installed on nuclear plants all over the country, as non-technician staff have also been put on leave, he added.
The official said the Pakistani government had received information that Israel and India might take the advantage of the ongoing situation in the region.
Aside from Pakistani officials' speculations over who may be interested in stifling the country's nuclear program, both the
New Yorker magazine and MSNBC reported that the U.S. was training special forces, aided by Israeli expertise, to conduct operations against the facilities. It has not been made clear whether or not the operations were dependent upon Pakistan's nuclear facilities being compromised.
"Anyway, Pakistan's armed forces are fully ready and will Insha' Allah [God-willing] pay back in the same coin in case of any aggression on its nuclear installations or whatsoever," the official maintained.
"However, we don't want to take any risk," he added.
Residents in localities near the nuclear facilities have been informed that evacuation orders could be issued any moment. Area schools have also been closed indefinitely, sources said.
A source in the country's largest nuclear plant, the Institute of Nuclear Sciences and Technology, confirmed to IslamOnline that the activities of the institute - including nuclear proliferation - have been halted and that the army has taken over.
"Only a few higher officials and scientists are now allowed to enter the Institute, which is situated some 30 kilometers [from] the capital," the source added.
The country's second largest atomic reactor, situated in Khushab - some 100 kilometers from Lahore, was also closed, sources said.
U.S. and Western media, spurred by "leaks" within U.S. government circles, have launched a campaign against Pakistan's nuclear capabilities, fearing they may be taken over by extremists.
Pakistan denies such scenarios could come about, saying its nuclear program "is in safe hands."
Pakistan conducted six successful nuclear tests on May 28, 1998, following tests initiated by neighboring India, which conducted five nuclear tests on May 11, 1998.
Pakistan is the only Muslim country to officially announce it possesses nuclear capabilities.
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