Nuclear, biological threat looms large over India

BANGALORE: A nuclear, biological or chemical threat is looming large over India and 'is very imminent' in view of use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) across the globe, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Controller W Selwamurthy.
 
Stating that the country should be prepared to face such threats, he told UNI here that they need not come through state sponsored terrorism, even a small group of people could use WMD as was done in Tokyo recently and create panic and disturbances in the society.
 
''A small case is sufficient enough to be blown up and create confusion among the public and lead to traumatic experience'', he felt.

To a question, he said India was fairly well prepared to meet any such eventuality. There was a need to take protective measures keeping in view of stockpiling of WMD by many countries,which had the capability to deliver them on target.

Terrorists could use them as soft options, he noted.

He said the DRDO had developed five categories of technologies -- technology for early detection, personal protection, collective protection, decontamination and medical management -- to safeguard the country's interests in such an eventuality.