Days after drawing flak from India for making an "unverified” claim that some material seized in Jharkhand's Bokaro city was uranium, Pakistan hit back by repeating the allegation and demanding its neighbor take "verifiable measures" for strengthening the security of its "nuclear material" and comply with international obligations.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said instead of resorting to "baseless" and usual "anti-Pakistan rhetoric", India must thoroughly investigate the matter in a "credible and transparent" manner, Daily Pakistan reported.

Chaudhri expressed surprise at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)  spokesman’s comments that it was an attempt by Pakistan to “malign India”.

“The incident took place in India and was reported by its own media. The charges were also framed by the Indian Police. I, therefore, wonder as to what made the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson believe that it depicted Pakistan’s desperation to malign India,” questioned the spokesman.

In New Delhi, MEA said the material seized was not uranium and asserted that India maintained a stringent law-based regulatory system for internationally-controlled items, which is reflected in its "impeccable" non-proliferation credentials.

"The Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, after due evaluation and laboratory analysis of the material sample, has stated that the material seized last week is not uranium and not radioactive," MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India on June 11.

"The gratuitous remarks about India by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, drawing upon a media report, indicate their disposition to malign India without caring to check or verify facts," he said at a media briefing.

Bagchi was replying to a question on Pakistan's official remarks on the reported seizure of the suspicious material in Bokaro.

"Let me also reaffirm that India maintains a stringent law-based regulatory system for internationally-controlled items, which is reflected in our impeccable non-proliferation credentials recognized by the international community," Bagchi added.

The Indian Express had reported earlier this month that the Bokaro police had seized 6.4 kg of "uranium mineral" after arresting seven persons for "possessing and planning to sell mineral uranium", which is the main fuel for nuclear reactors after being refined and enriched. 

The Indian Express had reportedly obtained court records, where the Bokaro police had maintained that after receiving a "tip" on June 2, that five people were planning to "illegally sell prohibited mineral uranium in the black market".

The reports were contradicted by MEA (SAM)

 (SAM)