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The Foreign Office directed a secret coded message, through Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria Abdul Sattar, to Munir Khan who soon met Dr. Raja Ramana at the Imperial Hotel at Vienna, Austria. There, his Indian counterpart confirmed the possible surgical attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities. During their conversation, Munir Khan told the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission that an Indian attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities would trigger a possible Pakistan retaliatory strike on Indian nuclear facilities at Trombay, which will result in the release of radioactivity causing a major disaster. Dr. Raja Ramana held a meeting with Indira Gandhi and conveyed Pakistan's possible response. Indira Gandhi immediately postponed the surprise attack, and subsequently the matter was shelved. Following these events, Indian and Pakistani officials met for negotiations and agreed that both countries would not attack each other's nuclear facilities.
Before and after Chagai nuclear tests International reactions and events
USA before the 1998 nuclear test was indeed aware of Pakistan’s nuclear program. CIA did have credible enough information that Pakistan was pursuing in this field. US was slow to react or it did not wish to act. At the time Pakistan was a strategic partner of the US and the US needed Pakistan to counter USSR in Afghanistan.
Intermittent US Sanctions
On several occasions, under the authority of amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Pakistan, cutting off economic and military aid as a result of its pursuit of nuclear weapons. However, the U.S. suspended sanctions each time developments in Afghanistan made Pakistan a strategically important "frontline state," such
as the 1981 Soviet occupation and in the war on terrorism.
International reaction to the 1998 tests
The ChagaiI tests were condemned by the European Union, the United States, Japan, Iraq, and by the many nonOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) nations. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1172, condemning the tests by both India and Pakistan. From 1998–99, the U.S. held a series of talks with Pakistan to persuade them to become
party to the Comprehensive NuclearTestBan Treaty (CTBT) and the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), with Pakistan refusing amid a fear of lack of security commitment by the U.S. and the growing ties between India and the United States. The U.S., Japan, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran congratulated Pakistan where the major celebration took place. All new U.S. economic assistance to Pakistan was suspended in May 1998 though the humanitarian aid continued.
The composition of assistance to Pakistan shifted from monetary grants toward loans repayable in foreign exchange. In the long term, the sanctions were eventually permanently lifted by the U.S. after Pakistan became a frontline ally in the war against terror in 2001. Having improved its finances, the Pakistani government ended its IMF program in 2004.
India
India became the reason Pakistan started its nuclear program. Going nuclear was never Pakistan's ambition. These comments further clarify it, “If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass and leaves for a thousand years, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own.”
Threat from India was too big, wounds of ‘71 still fresh Bhutto, along with intellectual of the country felt it was necessary to take this route. India could not be trusted and Pakistan had to try and match it’s enemy. Moving on Pakistan tried to gather as much intelligence about Indian program and plans as it could, so did India along the way. Pakistan donated the bomb in 1998 only after India had done so, feeling the pressure from the other side of the border. In reaction to the Pakistani tests, there was uproar in the Indian parliament when the news was announced. The Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said Pakistan's action vindicated India's decision to conduct tests of its own.
Operation Sentinel and PAF’s role
Operation Opera played a psychological role in Pakistan as it was a successful operation commenced by Israeli Air Force. Pakistan felt that it would be the next target of an Israeli misadventure. The Israeli Air Force (IDF/AF) had, at first, explored the possibility of such a plan and, later, put together operational plans for a possible air strike against Kahuta. In 1979, while in private, General Zia told Air Chief Marshal Shamim that ISI had reliable intelligence that that Indian Air Force, ordered by Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, has plans to attack and destroy Pakistan's nuclear research facilities at Kahuta, notably the Engineering Research Laboratories. While asking the capability of retaliation, Air Chief Marshal Shamim acknowledged that Indian Air Force could reach the area in 3 minutes
whereas the Pakistan Air Force would take 8 minutes, allowing the Indians to attack the facility and return before the Pakistan Air Force could defend it. Because Kahuta is near borders so to effectively defend it, it was decided that the best way to deter an Indian attack would be to procure new advanced fighters and weaponry. But in meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal told General Zia to use diplomacy by sending Munir Ahmad Khan to Indian
diplomatic mission in Viennabased International Atomic Energy Agency.
Shamim then placed Pakistan Air Force on highalert with alert level 7. Pakistan Air Force jets began to take sorties, equipped with missiles, on regular basis. The intelligence was confirmed by Air Intelligence who recommended the acquisition of Mirage2000 or F16 Falcon Fighters at an emergency level. Shamim advocated for the F16s and acknowledged
General Zia about the plans. In 1981, Air Intelligence command became alerted of suspected F16s jets who had landed near the Indian borders. Shamim alerted the Pakistan Air Force, and a counter operation
was launched, Operation Sentinel. Pakistan Air Force jets intercepted the suspected F16s and confirmed their Israeli identity. Pakistan Air Force jets took aggressive measures and their tactics surprised the Israeli Air Force F16s. Panicked and surprised, the mission was cancelled and Israeli Air Force F16s were called off immediately. After this incident, the Chief of Air Staff General Anwar Shamim decided to form a unified command to protect the nuclear deterrence from outside forces. The 1980s was a decade of
modernizing of Air Force and PAF inducted and introduced advanced jets in its weaponry. Pakistan then used Munir Ahmad Khan who was attending IAEA General Conference along with his Indian counterpart Dr.Raja Ramana. The Foreign Office directed a secret coded message, through Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria Abdul Sattar, to Munir Khan who soon met Dr. Raja Ramana at the Imperial Hotel at Vienna, Austria. There, his Indian counterpart confirmed the possible surgical attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities. During their conversation, Munir Khan told the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission that an Indian attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities would trigger a possible Pakistan retaliatory strike on Indian nuclear facilities at Trombay, which will result in the release of radioactivity causing a major disaster. Dr. Raja Ramana held a meeting with Indira Gandhi and conveyed Pakistan's possible response. Indira Gandhi immediately postponed the surprise attack, and subsequently the matter was shelved. Following these events, Indian and Pakistani officials met for negotiations and agreed that both countries would not attack each other's nuclear facilities.
Credits: WAJsal
@WAJsal
Before and after Chagai nuclear tests International reactions and events
USA before the 1998 nuclear test was indeed aware of Pakistan’s nuclear program. CIA did have credible enough information that Pakistan was pursuing in this field. US was slow to react or it did not wish to act. At the time Pakistan was a strategic partner of the US and the US needed Pakistan to counter USSR in Afghanistan.
Intermittent US Sanctions
On several occasions, under the authority of amendments to the Foreign Assistance Act, the U.S. has imposed sanctions on Pakistan, cutting off economic and military aid as a result of its pursuit of nuclear weapons. However, the U.S. suspended sanctions each time developments in Afghanistan made Pakistan a strategically important "frontline state," such
as the 1981 Soviet occupation and in the war on terrorism.
International reaction to the 1998 tests
The ChagaiI tests were condemned by the European Union, the United States, Japan, Iraq, and by the many nonOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) nations. The United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1172, condemning the tests by both India and Pakistan. From 1998–99, the U.S. held a series of talks with Pakistan to persuade them to become
party to the Comprehensive NuclearTestBan Treaty (CTBT) and the NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), with Pakistan refusing amid a fear of lack of security commitment by the U.S. and the growing ties between India and the United States. The U.S., Japan, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and International Monetary Fund (IMF) imposed economic sanctions on Pakistan. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Iran congratulated Pakistan where the major celebration took place. All new U.S. economic assistance to Pakistan was suspended in May 1998 though the humanitarian aid continued.
The composition of assistance to Pakistan shifted from monetary grants toward loans repayable in foreign exchange. In the long term, the sanctions were eventually permanently lifted by the U.S. after Pakistan became a frontline ally in the war against terror in 2001. Having improved its finances, the Pakistani government ended its IMF program in 2004.
India
India became the reason Pakistan started its nuclear program. Going nuclear was never Pakistan's ambition. These comments further clarify it, “If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass and leaves for a thousand years, even go hungry, but we will get one of our own.”
Threat from India was too big, wounds of ‘71 still fresh Bhutto, along with intellectual of the country felt it was necessary to take this route. India could not be trusted and Pakistan had to try and match it’s enemy. Moving on Pakistan tried to gather as much intelligence about Indian program and plans as it could, so did India along the way. Pakistan donated the bomb in 1998 only after India had done so, feeling the pressure from the other side of the border. In reaction to the Pakistani tests, there was uproar in the Indian parliament when the news was announced. The Indian Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, said Pakistan's action vindicated India's decision to conduct tests of its own.
Operation Sentinel and PAF’s role
Operation Opera played a psychological role in Pakistan as it was a successful operation commenced by Israeli Air Force. Pakistan felt that it would be the next target of an Israeli misadventure. The Israeli Air Force (IDF/AF) had, at first, explored the possibility of such a plan and, later, put together operational plans for a possible air strike against Kahuta. In 1979, while in private, General Zia told Air Chief Marshal Shamim that ISI had reliable intelligence that that Indian Air Force, ordered by Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, has plans to attack and destroy Pakistan's nuclear research facilities at Kahuta, notably the Engineering Research Laboratories. While asking the capability of retaliation, Air Chief Marshal Shamim acknowledged that Indian Air Force could reach the area in 3 minutes
whereas the Pakistan Air Force would take 8 minutes, allowing the Indians to attack the facility and return before the Pakistan Air Force could defend it. Because Kahuta is near borders so to effectively defend it, it was decided that the best way to deter an Indian attack would be to procure new advanced fighters and weaponry. But in meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal told General Zia to use diplomacy by sending Munir Ahmad Khan to Indian
diplomatic mission in Viennabased International Atomic Energy Agency.
Shamim then placed Pakistan Air Force on highalert with alert level 7. Pakistan Air Force jets began to take sorties, equipped with missiles, on regular basis. The intelligence was confirmed by Air Intelligence who recommended the acquisition of Mirage2000 or F16 Falcon Fighters at an emergency level. Shamim advocated for the F16s and acknowledged
General Zia about the plans. In 1981, Air Intelligence command became alerted of suspected F16s jets who had landed near the Indian borders. Shamim alerted the Pakistan Air Force, and a counter operation
was launched, Operation Sentinel. Pakistan Air Force jets intercepted the suspected F16s and confirmed their Israeli identity. Pakistan Air Force jets took aggressive measures and their tactics surprised the Israeli Air Force F16s. Panicked and surprised, the mission was cancelled and Israeli Air Force F16s were called off immediately. After this incident, the Chief of Air Staff General Anwar Shamim decided to form a unified command to protect the nuclear deterrence from outside forces. The 1980s was a decade of
modernizing of Air Force and PAF inducted and introduced advanced jets in its weaponry. Pakistan then used Munir Ahmad Khan who was attending IAEA General Conference along with his Indian counterpart Dr.Raja Ramana. The Foreign Office directed a secret coded message, through Ambassador of Pakistan to Austria Abdul Sattar, to Munir Khan who soon met Dr. Raja Ramana at the Imperial Hotel at Vienna, Austria. There, his Indian counterpart confirmed the possible surgical attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities. During their conversation, Munir Khan told the Chairman of India's Atomic Energy Commission that an Indian attack on Pakistani nuclear facilities would trigger a possible Pakistan retaliatory strike on Indian nuclear facilities at Trombay, which will result in the release of radioactivity causing a major disaster. Dr. Raja Ramana held a meeting with Indira Gandhi and conveyed Pakistan's possible response. Indira Gandhi immediately postponed the surprise attack, and subsequently the matter was shelved. Following these events, Indian and Pakistani officials met for negotiations and agreed that both countries would not attack each other's nuclear facilities.
Credits: WAJsal
@WAJsal
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