By Barbara Plett,
BBC News, Islamabad

A medium-range ballistic missile is tested in Pakistan on 25 January, 2008
Pakistan insists its nuclear armoury will not be compromised
Pakistan has raised the state of alert around its nuclear facilities
amid concerns they could be targeted by Islamist militants.

But a senior Pakistan military official said there had been no specific
threat to the sites, and insisted that safeguards in place were fool proof.

The official was speaking in a rare press briefing on the issue.

It followed Western media reports warning that Pakistan's nuclear
weapons could fall into the wrong hands.

The Pakistani authorities have been angered by Western media reports
speculating that the country?s nuclear arsenal could fall into the hands
of al-Qaeda militants.

The senior military official briefing foreign journalists said that the
weapons were protected by an elaborate command and control system, and
multiple levels of security.

'No collusion'

He acknowledged that Islamic militants had begun to attack army
personnel in recent months, and that nuclear sites may also become a target.

He said the state of alert around nuclear facilities had increased, but
there had been no specific threats against them.

The official said there was no way the Taleban or al-Qaeda could take
over Pakistan?s estimated 50 nuclear warheads.

And he dismissed the possibility of collusion from within the system,
saying all personnel dealing with sensitive material had been carefully
monitored.

Despite fears raised by US media and politicians, the official said the
US administration had not shown any recent concern about the safety of
Pakistan?s nuclear weapons.

He also said any foreign intervention over the issue would be disastrous
for the intruder.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites