By Xinhua
Washington : The security at the Pakistan’s nuclear weapons arsenal was not compromised to the political turmoil following the assassination of the country’s former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the U.S. defense department said on Friday.
According to U.S. assessment, the nuclear arsenal in Pakistan “is under control” at this time, said Pentagon spokesman Gary Keck.
The concerns on Pakistan nuclear weapon security was raised again after Bhutto, 54, was killed in a suicide bombing on Thursday when she was leaving an election rally in Rawalpindi. More than 20 others also died and nearly 60 were injured in the attack. The assassination pulled Pakistan into crisis with violent protests across the country.
However, U.S. military and defense officials said they believe Pakistan’s nuclear weapons remain securely under the control of the government military.
The concern was also raised in November when Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf declared a state of emergency, triggering protests and arrests in the country.