Threat of nuclear terrorism in South Asia India-Pakistan scenario Dr. Dhanda Suresh* *Associate Professor & Head, Department of Political Science, S.A. Jain College, Ambala City, Haryana, India Online published on 21 September, 2017. Abstract The horizontal and vertical proliferation of nuclear weapons, the expansion of civilian nuclear programs and the increase in extremist political groups waging campaigns of terror have increased the risk of nuclear terrorism worldwide. The two countries of South Asia, India and Pakistan, are also involved in massive investments in the construction and operation of civilian nuclear power plants, research reactors, laboratories and reprocessing and enrichment facilities. Nuclear weapons Stockpiles and fissile material of both the countries is also growing at a higher speed. Safety and security measures remain poor in comparison to those of other established nuclear powers. Moreover, both the countries continue to be wracked by high levels of terrorist activities. Growing sophistication in the methods of terrorists by using the non-conventional means has further complicated the problem of nuclear terrorism. The threat of nuclear terrorism mainly comes from Pakistan. As terrorism spreads and the security situation in its north-western region worsens, reports of Pakistan increasing its nuclear arsenal have raised fears over its safety and security. However, the physical overwhelming of nuclear weapons or nuclear sites by terrorists seems implausible but the theft of fissile materials or fusing components used in the bomb is possible through the help of insiders having sympathies with terrorist organizations. This pilfered material could be used as a radiological device or what is called a dirty-bomb. With comparatively peaceful environment and civilian control on nuclear weapons, India provides less chances of nuclear terrorism as compared to Pakistan. The present paper investigates the loopholes and weaknesses in the security and safety of nuclear weapons and other related facilities of both the countries, India and Pakistan. The paper also examines the situations in which the nuclear weapons or fissile materials could be whisked out by terrorists. Various threat scenarios of nuclear terrorism have also been examined in detail. Top Keywords Nuclear Weapons, Fissile Material, Nuclear Terrorism, Dirty Bomb, Radiological Material, Nuclear Facilities. Top |