ISIS' nuclear attack in Europe a real possibility

The use of nuclear weapons has always remained a constant threat for every individual ever since the Cold War days.
FILE - In this undated file photo released online in the summer of 2014 on a militant social media account, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, militants of the Islamic State group hold up their weapons and wave its flags on
FILE - In this undated file photo released online in the summer of 2014 on a militant social media account, which has been verified and is consistent with other AP reporting, militants of the Islamic State group hold up their weapons and wave its flags on

The use of nuclear weapons has always remained a constant threat for every individual ever since the Cold War days. A leading international research organisation states that the terror outfits inclusive of the ISIS have been trying to lay their hands on the weapons of mass destruction.

According to The Independent, Moshe Kantor, the president of the International Luxembourg Forum said, "ISIS has already carried out numerous chemical weapon attacks in Syria; we know it wants to go further by carrying out a nuclear attack in the heart of Europe. This, combined with poor levels of security at a host of nuclear research centres in the former Soviet Union mean the threat of a possible 'dirty-bomb' attack on a Western capital is high."

With the Euro 2016 starting on July 11, the former senior officials and government ministers from Russia who are part of the organisation have clearly indicated a high chance of a jihadists terror attack to be carried out.

Dr Kantor stated that though the ISIS have kept an constant watch on a Belgian nuclear facility, they are more likely not go for a nuclear attack.

He further added,"The terrorists don't necessarily have to use a 'dirty bomb'. We are not just talking about stolen nuclear material, using conventional explosives in a nuclear plant, such as smuggling in a bomb, would have catastrophic consequences."

The reports from the TOI quoted former British defence secretary Des Browne, a member of the forum and vice-chairman of the Nuclear Threat Initiative who said,"it shouldn't be a surprise that if terrorists get hold of nuclear material they will try to use it, we also know that they are seeking such material, there were reports, for example, of ISIS getting hold of uranium when they captured Mosul."

He went on to add that the 'dirty bomb' might not kill many people, but will have have a massive impact on the environment and the surrounding and leaving a devastating psychological impact on the affected.

The White House in their statement said the civilian and military programmes use highly enriched uranium and separated plutonium of around 2,000 metric tons which can turn into a nuclear bomb found in the hands of the terror outfits.

United States President Obama has also repeatedly shown his concern against the risk of nuclear terrorism and stressed on the nuclear disarmament which eventually won him the Noble peace prize. 

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