Pakistan rejects Indian media reports of radiation leak, warns against regional arms buildup
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's foreign office on Friday dismissed Indian media reports alleging radiation leaks during last week's conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors as 'preposterous,' while voicing concern over India's acquisition of advanced weaponry, calling it a threat to regional stability.
The remarks came amid heightened tensions following a brief but intense military exchange that included missile and drone strikes.
Some Indian media outlets speculated that Pakistani nuclear facilities were compromised during the hostilities, leading to potential radiation leaks.
'What I can say about radiation leakage in Pakistan is that these reports are absurd and preposterous,' foreign office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said during his weekly news briefing. 'This is part of disinformation and fake news peddled by Indian media, which has distinguished itself recently with blatant lies and fabrication.'
'As a responsible nuclear weapon state,' he added, 'Pakistan categorically rejects this irresponsible reporting with the contempt it deserves. India will be well advised to check such manufactured falsehoods and stop the fall of its media to new low.'
Some recent reports have also quoted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as saying 'no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan' had occurred, dismissing the Indian media claims as unfounded.
Ambassador Khan also criticized India's military posture during the news briefing, saying New Delhi's ambitions were destabilizing the region.
'India is pursuing aggressive, or rather hegemonic policy in the region, and its defense budget reflects that,' he said. 'We remain concerned about the acquisition and procurement of advanced weaponry by India which creates security imbalance in the region.'
'At the same time, we remain mindful of the threat,' he added. 'We are prepared and we are ready, and our forces remain ready to deal with the challenges.'
The recent India-Pakistan standoff, which lasted several days, saw both nations engage in conventional military operations, including missile and drone strikes.
A ceasefire was brokered and announced on May 10, though the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations persists.
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