'India Was Forced to Abort N-bomb Test in 1994'
Sify News
Apr 2, 2008
New Delhi: India was forced to drop plans to explode a nuclear bomb for the second time in 20 years in 1994 at the last moment, according to the nuclear scientist in-charge of the aborted atomic test programme. Nuclear Scientist Krishnan Santhanam told Times Now TV that the plans to explode the bomb at Pokhran was put on "hold" due to apparent US pressure. The Clinton Administration conveyed its "concern" to India after the preparations were detected by US satellites. P V Narasimha Rao was the prime minister at that time. India first tested a nuclear device in 1974 during the reign of Indira Gandhi. Twenty-four years later in 1998 the second nuclear test was conducted at Pokharan when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister. Regarding preparations for the test, Santhanam said there were two shafts in Pokhran dug during 1981-82 and they had been sealed because no further work was likely to occur. These two shafts were reactivated, we had to blow out the concrete lid and then pump out all the water, do all the repair work. Brilliant job was done by the engineer in adverse circumstances, he said.
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