ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Nuclear security experts have raised serious concerns about India’s persistent nuclear security breaches, calling on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to investigate the growing radioactive material theft and trafficking incidents in the country.
According to Kashmir Media Service, over the past three decades, more than a dozen confirmed cases involving uranium, Californium, and other radioactive substances have been reported in India, exposing glaring loopholes in its nuclear safeguards.
Most recent cases in India
The most recent case in Dehradun involved five individuals caught with a device stolen from the highly secure Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.
Similarly, three separate cases were reported in 2021 involving the trafficking of Californium — a radioactive element valued at over $100 million.
Experts and the international community have voiced alarm over India’s inability to control the movement of these dangerous materials.
“These incidents point towards a growing and dangerous black market for dual-use nuclear materials inside India,” said a leading nuclear policy analyst.
The Pakistani Foreign Office has also issued a strong statement in response to Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent remarks suggesting that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal should come under IAEA supervision.
Terming the statement “reckless” and “politically motivated,” the Foreign Office said it reflects India’s deep insecurity over Pakistan’s credible conventional and nuclear deterrence.
“India’s repeated nuclear lapses demand urgent international scrutiny,” the Foreign Office asserted.
“Rather than deflecting attention with provocative statements, India must be held accountable for its failure to ensure the safety of nuclear materials under its jurisdiction.”
Experts warn that these recurring incidents in India not only endanger regional stability but also raise global proliferation concerns.
They have urged international watchdogs, particularly the IAEA, to launch an immediate and thorough investigation into the illicit nuclear trafficking network operating within India.
