India tested its first atomic bomb in 1974 and until now it has almost 60 bombs and other nuclear weapons, but the security of Indian nuclear assets is highly questionable and dubious.

We find numerous cases in which top Indian companies had been criminally involved in the past in importing and exporting nuclear equipment. An American company, the Berkeley Nucleonic Corporation (BNC), was fined on transferring nuclear components to the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre in India. Similarly, two other Indian companies were also banned for selling missile goods and chemical arms' material to Iran. Even in 2005, Indian scientists Dr. Y.S. Prasad and Surrendar were blacklisted by the US, seeing that they were involved in nuclear theft. Likewise, a container packed with radioactive material was stolen from the Research Atomic Centre in India in 2006.

Similarly, another scientist belonging to Hindu extremist organisation RSS was engaged in transferring prohibited nuclear technology to Israel and other countries for getting funds for the completion of 'Maha Bharat agenda'. Two months ago, one more Indian nuclear scientist Lokanathan Mahalingam was mysteriously found dead in a lake.

Facts reveal that Indian nukes may fall into the hands of Hindu fundamentalist organisations like RSS, Bajrang Dal and others. Many separatist groups are fighting for their independence in 14 out of 28 states in India. If 10 militants can engage around 3,000 commandos, police and agencies in the November 2008 attack in Mumbai, India for 60 hours, then the question arises how safe are Indian nuclear assets? The answer not at all. These extremist groups can easily snatch nuclear weapons with the help of Indian scientists and can use them against the US, Europe or any other country for their benefit. So India should stop pointing fingers at other countries and care about its own nukes which are under great threat.

Muhammad Javed Iqbal Rakizar
Lahore