India, Pak looking at bioweapons: US

Claiming that India has 30 to 35 nuclear weapons with yields varying between 5 to 25 kilotons, a US Congress body has said there is now dang...

Claiming that India has 30 to 35 nuclear weapons with yields varying between 5 to 25 kilotons, a US Congress body has said there is now danger of India and Pakistan developing a dreaded biological weapon or weapons.

As of 2002, India had 30 to 35 nuclear weapons with yields varying between 5 to 25 kilotons (KT) ‘‘despite an Indian claim that it had detonated a nuclear device on May 11, 1998 with a 43 KT yield,’’ the Congressional Research Service (CRS), which advises the US Congress, claimed in a report.

It puts the number of Pakistani nuclear weapons at 24 to 48. Despite Pakistani claims of higher yield, seismic measurements from Pakistani nuclear detonations on May 28 and 30, 2002 suggest weaponised yields more along the order of 9 to 12 KT and 4 to 6 KT respectively.

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The report said there was a danger that India and Pakistan may develop biological weapons. ‘‘India is believed to have an active biological defence research programme as well as the necessary infrastructure to develop a variety of biological agents,’’ it claimed.

‘‘In June 1998, as required by Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), India declared it possessed chemical weapons. It is reportedly destroying the chemical weapons stockpile,’’ it said. CRS said Pakistan, a member of the CWC since 1997, is not believed to possess chemical weapons. (PTI)

Modi will address a rally in the district and open the Purnea airport that will provide air connectivity to several metro cities, fulfilling a longstanding demand in the Seemanchal region.

PM Modi to open Purnea airport, launch Makhana Board in Monday’s visit to poll-bound Bihar

India2 hr ago

PM Modi will visit Purnea, Bihar, on Monday to inaugurate projects worth Rs 36,000 crore, including an airport and launch the National Makhana Board. The visit is aimed at boosting development and addressing the neglected Seemanchal region. PM will also announce projects worth Rs 35,461 crore and distribute benefits to beneficiaries under different schemes.

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