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Thursday, February 10, 2011

Is India prepared for radiological emergency?

Political situation in Pakistan is very fluid and the terrorist organizations/extremists have stepped up calls for Jihad against India. It is possible that they may even be in position to get their hands on the nuclear weapons in Pakistan and this is going to be matter of deep concern for the security of India. The organizations threaten nuclear war for Kashmir.

In any case, even if nuclear weapons are not used, there is good possibility the use of a radiological dispersion device (RDD) or “dirty” bomb. This is a conventional explosive wrapped in radiological material. Terrorists may use an RDD to disperse radioactive material across a populated area, causing casualties, economic damage and panic. A mere presence of radioactive contamination will create full-blown media coverage and the nuclear program envisaged for the benefit of the country will be in jeopardy.

Is India prepared for such an eventuality, called radiological emergency in any part of the country in terms of trained man power, equipment and logistics?