Chagai-I

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Chagai-I is the

Balochistan Province.[5]

Chagai-I was Pakistan's first public test of nuclear weapons. China's supply of nuclear reactor in 1993 and nuclear technology prior to that for the

Chashma Nuclear Power Plant helped to achieve it. Its timing was a direct response to India's second nuclear test Pokhran-II, on 11 and 13 May 1998. These tests by Pakistan and India resulted in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1172 and economic sanctions on both states by a number of major powers, particularly the United States and Japan. By testing nuclear devices, Pakistan became the seventh country to publicly test nuclear weapons.[6]: 14–15 [7] Pakistan's second nuclear test, Chagai-II
, followed on 30 May 1998.

Background

Main article: Pakistan and weapons of mass destruction

Several historical and political events and personalities in the 1960s and early 1970s led Pakistan to gradually transition to a program of nuclear weapons development, that began in 1972.[8] Plans for nuclear weapons testing started in 1974.[1]: 182–183 [7][9]: 470–476  Chagai-I was the result of over two decades of planning and preparation, Pakistan becoming the seventh of eight states that have publicly admitted to testing nuclear weapons.[6]: 14–15 [7]

The timing of Chagai-I was a direct response to India's second nuclear tests, Pokhran-II, also called Operation Shakti, on 11 and 13 May 1998.[6]: 1–15 [10][11]: 191–198  Chagai-I was Pakistan's first of two public tests of nuclear weapons. Pakistan's second nuclear test, Chagai-II, followed on 30 May 1998.

In 2005,

deliberate ambiguity.[12] In an interview with Hamid Mir in Capital Talk which aired on Geo News in 2005, Dr. Samar Mubarakmand confirmed Bhutto's testimony and maintained that PAEC developed the design of an atomic bomb in 1978 and had successfully conducted a cold test after building the first atomic bomb in 1983.[12]

Location

mountain ranges with extreme hot weather
.

Safety and security required a remote, isolated and unpopulated mountainous area.

radioactive fallout.[7]

Koh Kambaran located in the

Ras Koh Hills was selected in 1978. Due to widespread imprecise reporting which mentioned the Chagai Hills region prior to the actual explosion, there is sometimes geographic confusion. Both the Chagai Hills and the Ras Koh Hills are situated in the Chagai District, but the Ras Koh Hills lie to the south of Chagai Hills, and are separated from the Chagai Hills by a large valley.[13][14]

Throughout the 1980s, the Governor of Balochistan, General Rahimuddin Khan, led the civil engineering work.[7]

Decision-making

After India's

Indian politicians further escalated the situation.[15] Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif curtailed his state visit to Kazakhstan to meet with President Nursultan Nazarbayev and returned to Pakistan.[16]

The decision to conduct tests took place at a meeting that Sharif convened with the

Information minister Mushahid Hussain was the first who argued for the tests in reply to the Indian nuclear tests.[19] The Opposition leader, Benazir Bhutto, spoke emphatically in favour of Pakistani atomic tests.[5]

At the

Insha'Allah, I give you the guarantee of success".[1]
: 276–277 

With the

Urdu: "Dhamaka kar dein" (lit. "Conduct the explosion!")[1]
: 277 

In May 1998, a C-130 aircraft with four escorting

completely knocked down sub-assembly nuclear devices from Rawalpindi to Chagai.[7]

In 1999, in an interview given to Pakistani and Indian journalists in Islamabad, Sharif said: If India had not exploded the bomb, Pakistan would not have done so. Once New Delhi did so, We [Sharif Government] had no choice because of public pressure.[10]

Weapon yield

General
Zulfikar Ali).

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) carried out five underground nuclear tests at the Chagai test site at 1515 hours. (PKT) on the afternoon of 28 May 1998.[5][7]

The observation post was established about 10 km (≈6.21 miles) from the test vicinity, with members of Mathematics Group and Theoretical Physics Group (TPG) led by Dr.

shock waves is challenging because there are different ways in which the yields can be determined.[20] The TPG predicted the total maximum test yields with an energy equivalent to be ~40 kilotons of TNT equivalent, with the largest (boosted) device yielding 30–36 kilotons.[21] Other scientists estimated a yield of 6–13 kilotons[22][23] or, based on the seismic wave data, a yield of 12–20 kt.[5] Theoretical Physics Group (TPG) and Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan held to their estimates.[1]: 200–202 [24] The PAEC's mathematics division placed the scientific data in the public domain and published seismic activities, mathematical graphs, and mathematical formulas used to calculate the yield; though certain scientific information remains classified.[25]

From scientific data received by PAEC, it appears that Pakistan did not test a

thermonuclear device, as opposed to India.[6] According to Ishfaq Ahmad, PAEC had no plans to develop a hydrogen device for economic reasons, even though back in 1974, Riazuddin proposed such a plan to Abdus Salam, Director of Theoretical Physics Group that time.[6] From the outset, PAEC concentrated on developing smaller tactical nuclear weapons easily installed on Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft, Pakistan Navy combatant vessels, and missiles.[26]

Shortly after the tests, former chairman and technical director Munir Ahmad Khan famously quoted: "These

thermonuclear process, and are effectively stronger atom bombs..... Pakistan has had a nuclear capability since 1984 and all the Pakistani devices were made with enriched uranium."[5]

On the other hand, Abdul Qadeer Khan further provided technical details on

N. M. Butt, senior scientist, stated that "PAEC built a sufficient number of neutron bombs— a battlefield weapon that is essentially a low yield device".[26]

Reactions

In Pakistan, the news of the nuclear detonations was met by street celebrations.

Pakistan Television (PTV), congratulated the public and days of celebration followed throughout Pakistan.[5][28] The Directorate of Technical Development of PAEC which carried out the Chagai tests issued the following statement soon after the tests:[5]

The mission has, on the one hand, boosted the morale of the Pakistani nation by giving it an honorable position in the nuclear world, while on the other hand it validated scientific theory, design and previous results from cold tests. This has more than justified the creation and establishment of DTD more than 20 years back.

Through these critical years of nuclear device development, the leadership contribution changed hands from

Ishfaq Ahmad and finally to Samar Mubarakmand
.

These gifted scientists and engineers along with a highly dedicated team worked logically and economically to design, produce and test an extremely rugged device for the nation which enable the Islamic Republic of Pakistan from strength to strength.[29]

Pakistan's President

Rafiq Tarar declared a state of emergency, which introduced measures to protect Pakistan's finances and currency.[27]

After the test, the national media in Pakistan posted biographies of the involved scientists. Senior scientists and engineers were invited by academic institutes and universities to deliver lectures on

honorary doctorates to the scientists and engineers in 1998.[4]

International

Cross section of a crater from a subsurface nuclear detonation

The Chagai-I tests were condemned by the

Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), with Pakistan refusing amid a fear of lack of security commitment by the U.S. and the growing ties between India and the United States.[33][34]

The U.S., Japan, Australia, Sweden, Canada, and

war against terror in 2001.[35] Having improved its finances, the Pakistani government ended its IMF program in 2004.[35]

Development teams

The three main development teams were the

Director General of KRL; and Tasneem M. Shah), and the Pakistan Army Corps of Engineers
and 19 Engineers Battalion have rendered their services (PACE) (including Lieutenant-General Zulfikar Ali Khan).

Commemoration

Main articles:
Science in Pakistan, Electroweak interaction, and Youm-e-Takbir
Commemorative monument at the Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad

Signed into law by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, 28 May is officially declared as Youm-e-Takbir (lit. Day of Greatness), as well as National Science Day, to commemorate the date of the first five tests and honour the scientific efforts to develop the program.[36] Awards, such as Chagai-Medal, are given to various individuals and industries in the field of science.[37] The Pakistani government established the Chagai-I Medal, first awarded in 1998 to the scientists who witnessed the tests.[38] The granite mountains are visibly shown in the gold medallion and equal ribbon stripes of yellow, red and white.[38]

National Center for Physics, where Salam's contribution to scientific programs and efforts were recorded and televised.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 978-0804784801
    . Retrieved 1 June 2015.
  2. ^ Approximating and calculating the exact, accurate and precise yields are difficult to calculate. Even under very controlled conditions, precise yields can be very hard to determine, and for less controlled conditions the margins of error can be quite large. There are a number of different ways that the yields can be determined, including calculations based on blast size, blast brightness, seismographic data, and the strength of the shock wave. The Pakistan Government authorities puts up the yield range from 36-~40 kt depending on the mathematical calculations they had performed. On other hand, independent and non-government sanctioned organizations puts the figure at the possible 15–20 kt range. The explosion measured 5.54 degrees on the Richter Scale, the PAEC provided the data as public domain in the KNET sources.
  3. ^ The Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). 28 May 1998 – Pakistan Nuclear Tests. https://www.ctbto.org/specials/testing-times/28-may-1998-pakistan-nuclear-tests
  4. ^ a b c d "A Science Oddyssey: Pakistan's Nuclear Emergence". Khwarizmi Science Society, Nuclear Conference, Alhamra Cultural Complex, Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore. Khwarizmi Science Society – khwarizmi.org. 19 October 1998. Archived from the original (video) on 5 December 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i Sublette, Carey (10 September 2001). "Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program – 1998: The Year of Testing". Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  6. ^
    ISBN 969-8500-00-6
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Azam, Rai Muhammad Saleh (2000). "When Mountains Move – The Story of Chagai: The Road to Chagai". The Nation. The Nation and Pakistan Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 1 April 2012.
  8. ^ Ahmed S. Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program: Turning Points and Nuclear Choices. International Security 32, no. 4 (1999): 178–204
  9. ^
    ISBN 9780671748951
    .
  10. ^
    Indian Express Group
    : Indian Express Group. 3 August 2005. p. 1.
  11. ^
    ISBN 978-0195477184
    .2009
  12. ^ a b c Unknown (28 May 2005). "Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD): Pakistan Nuclear Weapons". Global Security. globalsecurity.org.
  13. ^ "Chagai". Archived from the original on 4 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  14. ^ "Chagai Hills - Pakistan Special Weapons Facilities".
  15. ^ Hoodbhoy, Pervez (16 February 2011). "Herald exclusive: Pakistan's nuclear bayonet". Islamabad: Dawn News. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  16. ^ "America Offered $5Billion against the Atomic Tests", Geo News, Jang Group of Newspapers, p. 1, 28 May 2010, archived from the original on 31 May 2010, retrieved 28 May 2010
  17. ^
    ISBN 1601270755
  18. ^ "US offered $5b against nuclear blasts: Nawaz", The News International, 28 May 2010, archived from the original on 31 May 2010
  19. ^ Geo News (28 May 2010). "GEO Pakistan:US offered $5b against nuclear blasts: Nawaz". geo.tv. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
  20. ISBN 0070634823
    .
  21. ^ FAS.org (11 December 2002). "Pakistan Nuclear Weapons". fas.org.
  22. ISBN 978-1576073612
    .
  23. ISSN 0096-3402
    .
  24. ^ Khan, Kamran (30 May 1998). "Interview with Abdul Qadeer Khan". The News International. Islamabad: The News International. p. 1. Retrieved 14 June 2015 – via nuclearweaponarchive.org.
  25. ^ "Broadband recording of first blasts". Broadband Seismic Data Collection Center. PAEC Mathematics Research Division. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  26. ^ a b Raja Zulfikar (28 May 1998). "Pakistan builds a neutron bomb". nuclnet. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
  27. ^ a b "Kingman Daily Miner - Google News Archive Search".
  28. ^ BBC (28 May 1998). "BBC on This Day May 28, 1998". BBC. Retrieved 28 April 2010.
  29. ^ M. A. Chaudhri,"Pakistan's Nuclear History: Separating Myth from Reality," Defence Journal (Karachi), May 2006.
  30. ^ US-Iraq War: India's Middle East policy Archived 16 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  31. ^ "1998: World fury at Pakistan's nuclear tests". BBC News. 28 May 1998.
  32. ^ Directorate-Group of Press Release of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies. "World Reaction to Pakistan's nuclear tests". May 30, 1998. Center for Nonproliferation Studies, 1998. Archived from the original on 9 April 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  33. ^ Malik, Zaman (23 May 2000). "CTBT and Pakistan". www.defencejournal.com/. Islamabad, Pakistan: CTBT, Defence Journal. Archived from the original on 30 March 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  34. ISBN 8124108188
    .
  35. ^ a b c d Pakistan ends 15-year ties with IMF. Daily Times, 7 September 2004 Pakistan ends 15-year ties with IMF Archived 26 June 2015 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 25 June 2015
  36. ^ Hali, S.M (28 May 2012). "Youm-e-Takbeer". The Nation. The Nation. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  37. ^ "Youm-e-Takbeer being marked today". 28 May 2011. Archived from the original on 8 October 2012. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  38. ^ a b "Republic of Pakistan: Chagai-I Medal". 26 April 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.

Further information

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