Pakistan with ‘tactical nukes’ ready to counter Indian aggression: Aizaz

WASHINGTON: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said on Tuesday Pakistan is fully capable of answering any aggression from India as it has developed ‘short-range tactical nuclear weapons’.

Speaking to a TV channel, he said Pakistan was ready for a nuclear weapon race with its South Asian rival and ruled out any deal or compromise on the country’s nuclear programme.

Chaudhry said Pakistan knew how to show India the right path as it has developed small tactical nukes to convert any ‘adventure into misadventure’.

Tactical nuclear weapons are also known as non-strategic. They include not only gravity bombs and short-range missiles, but also artillery, land mines, depth charges, and torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. Also in this category are nuclear armed ground-based or shipborne surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and air-to-air missiles.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz has already said there will be no compromise on Pakistan’s national security.

He said Pakistan has been maintaining the stock of its nuclear arms at a minimum deterrence level against its conventional enemy.

“Pakistan’s nuclear facilities exist due to the hazards posed by the neighbouring country,” Sartaj Aziz said while talking exclusively to Geo News.

He said Pakistan was a responsible nuclear state and its nuclear arms in the context of the neighbouring country (India) will not come under discussion with the US.

Aziz said the aim of Prime Minister’s current tour to the US is to promote ties with Washington.