Prepared to deal with radical Islamic coup
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 organization, 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. [source]
Two years ago, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that if there were to be a radical Islamic coup in Pakistan the United States was prepared to deal with it. It is believed that there are Special Forces on alert in Afghanistan who are ready to move in and secure Pakistan’s warheads.
During my time serving in the U.S. Army, I encountered a group of Army Green Berets while on training maneuvers in Australia. We were on the same side, and they put a little fear into my heart. I didn’t speak to them, and they didn’t give me the slightest notice, but having seen them I can tell you that I would never, ever, want to face them in battle. I have no doubt that our Special Forces can and would get the job done if they were called upon.
