US special forces snatch squads are on standby to seize or disable Pakistan's nuclear arsenal in the event of a collapse of government authority or the outbreak of civil war following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
The troops, augmented by volunteer scientists from America's Nuclear Emergency Search Team organisation, are under orders to take control of an estimated 60 warheads dispersed around six to 10 high-security Pakistani military bases.
Military sources say contingency plans have been reviewed over the past three days to prevent any of Pakistan's atomic weapons falling into the hands of Islamic extremists if the administration of President Pervez Musharraf appears threatened by civil unrest.
Excerpted
Additional information on news item posted earlier:
5 suspected al-Qaeda militants arrested in Turkey, including high school teacher
December 30, 2007
ANKARA, Turkey – Five accused members of an alleged al-Qaeda sleeper cell – including a high school teacher – were ordered jailed Sunday on terror charges, reports said.
They were among 19 people detained in a sweep Saturday in four cities: Istanbul, Ankara, Aksaray, and the southern city of Adana, the state-run Anatolia news agency said. The others were released pending trial, the report said. Police also seized firearms, bullets, fake ID cards and other documents, Anatolia said.
The group is an alleged al-Qaeda “sleeper cell” that police had been monitoring for some time, the Milliyet daily newspaper reported. After monitoring the group for some time, police moved against the alleged cell amid fears members may have been preparing an attack, the paper said.
Among the five key suspects is an English teacher from a high school in the central city of Aksaray, Anatolia said. Police in Ankara did not comment on the report.
Excerpted
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20071230-0408-turkey-al-qaida.html
“...US special forces snatch squads are on standby...”
I assumed something such as this had happened but I wonder why it was leaked and for whom it was leaked.
U.S. Special Forces are on standby...
That’s a very good feeling.
Thanks for that update, Oorang.
The British newspaper source on the special forces makes me think we are letting Pakistan’s neighbors along with the Russians and China know loud and clear to stand down in regards to the nukes if such operations are activated...especially since the UN has supposedly shut *all* offices in Pakistan. Somebody must be kicking up a fuss on a red phone.
“US special forces snatch squads are on standby to seize or disable Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal in the event of a collapse of government authority or the outbreak of civil war following the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.”
It is good to know they are ready and have a plan of action.
Thanks for the ping, Oorang. Catching up on the thread. Happy New Year to y’all. Thanks for all of your work.