World

Chinese spy balloon spotted over US nuclear weapons sites, fighter jets scrambled

The Pentagon said on Thursday that it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying high over the United States that appeared to be carrying out a surveillance of highly sensitive nuclear weapons sites, according to US media reports.

Fighter jets were mobilised but military leaders advised President Joe Biden against shooting the balloon out of the sky for fear debris could pose a safety threat to people on the ground.

“The United States government has detected and is tracking a high-altitude surveillance balloon that is over the continental United States right now,” a Reuters report cited Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder as saying.

An official said the balloon flew over the US northwest where there are sensitive airbases and strategic missiles in silos underground, according to an AFP report.

“Clearly, the intent of this balloon is for surveillance, and the current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites,” he said.

It was flying at a high enough altitude not to threaten commercial aviation, the official added.

But the Pentagon did not believe it constitutes a particularly dangerous intelligence threat.

“We assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective,” the official said.

The United States took “custody” of the balloon when it entered U.S. airspace and had observed it with piloted U.S. military aircraft, one the official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

The incident comes just days ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s planned trip to Beijing.

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

IAF orders enquiry after MiG-29 aircraft crashed near Agra

Indian Air Force (IAF) has said it has ordered an enquiry hours after a MiG-29…

5 hours ago

Paank urges Pakistan to end enforced disappearances following release of abducted students

The Human Rights Department of the Baloch National Movement, Paank, has emphasised that enforced disappearances…

5 hours ago

UKPNP condemns new restrictions on civil liberties in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir

The United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) has condemned a recent notification from the government…

5 hours ago

India-Vietnam Joint military exercise Vinbax 2024 commences at Ambala

The 5th Edition of Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise "VINBAX 2024" commenced on Monday and…

7 hours ago

“Disaster relief in the Indo-Pacific: A key element of India-Australia bilateral ties”, says EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar underscored the deepening bilateral relationship between India and Australia during…

8 hours ago

Bramption temple attack: Hindu organisations call for protest against “Khalistani intimidation” today

Following recent attacks on Hindu temples in Canada, the Coalition of Hindus of North America…

8 hours ago