Possibility of nuclear attack should be part of India's security calculus: CDS Chauhan

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Anil Chauhan on Tuesday said that it would be prudent for India to take into account the possibility of a nuclear attack even though the chances are very low.

CDS Chauhan, who was speaking at the Scientific Session on 100th Raising Day of Military Nursing Service, said that preparation for a nuclear attack should be part of our security calculus, adding that India will never be deterred by nuclear blackmail.

"Post-Operation Sindoor, our PM has said that India will not be deterred by nuclear blackmail. While the possibility of use of nuclear weapons in our context is very low, it would be prudent to take this into our security calculus. Radiological contamination requires different protocols for treatment and must be part of our training," he said.

CDS Chauhan added that preparedness against nuclear threats contributes to a deterrence against its use, adding that such protocols are important.

During the military escalation in May, several Pakistani ministers resorted to nuclear blackmail against India, making reckless statements in public which has been part of Islamabad's shady nuclear doctrine.

Even Pakistani army chief Asim Munir gave nuclear threats to India while addressing a gathering in America, prompting PM Modi to assert that New Delhi will never give in to nuclear blackmail.

During his address, CDS Chauhan also said that role-based access and encryption of medical data is very relevant in today's era of data-centric warfare where access to information will allow enemy or give him a bit of an advantage over us.

"Indian DNA is unique. Our immune system reacts differently to different environment or infections. At the macro-level, individual medical data protection is equally important and includes case histories, reports and medical health records. Operational data, deployment related to health patterns, evacuation plans also need to be secured from leakages. Role-based access and encryption of medical data is very relevant in today's era of data-centric warfare where access to information will allow enemy or give him a bit of an advantage over us. While data security and data protection is not directly responsibility of MNS, but you must be aware of all these types of challenges," he said.