Operation Shakti

The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the USA was the first time when the world saw the true weapons of mass destruction. Under the Project Manhattan, USA developed its nuclear bombs. Later, USSR, United Kingdom, France and then China in 1964 also conducted the nuclear tests.

Homi Jehangir Bhabha is known as the Father of Indian nuclear program. He was the founder of TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) and BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Center). Both BARC and TIFR were cornerstone of India's nuclear program. Just after independence, he tried to convince the Indian leaders to develop nuclear program. If not for weapons, then for electricity generation. Homi Bhabha's controversial death did not stop India's nuclear program and scientists like Homi Sethna, Raja Ramanna continued the work.

On 18 May 1974, under the codename Operation Smiling Buddha, India conducted its first nuclear tests in Pokhran, Rajasthan (city situated in Thar desert). The then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi quoted this as 'Peaceful explosives'. This test was a technology demonstrator, the nuclear technology was not weaponized. This was the first confirmed nuclear test by a nation outside the Permanent 5 members of UN Security Council (USA, USSR, France, UK, China).

India already had nuclear plants for electricity generation by USA, Canada, USSR and fuel from these plants were used to conduct this test. India faced a lot of criticism internationally. Nuclear Suppliers Group was set up by US, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Canada which seek to prevent export of any material, equipment or technology that could later be used to weaponize the nuclear technology. There was a ban on nuclear technology and fuel sale to India. Due to this, India's nuclear technology could not advance further.

In the 1990s, there felt a need to develop nuclear weapons for security purposes. In 1995, Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao agreed to go ahead for nuclear tests. But USA's spy satellites detected the test preparation and India was pressurized by the White House to stop the tests. In 1996, Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave nod to conduct the tests secretly. Unfortunately, his tenure ended in just 13 days.

Preparing for nuclear tests were not easy. CIA had been detecting the Indian test preparation sites since 1995. The tests required complete secrecy. The bushes or sand dunes of Pokhran didn't provide much cover from probing satellites. 58th Engineer Regiment of Indian Army's Corps of Engineer was commissioned to prepare the test sites.

A very small group of nuclear scientists were involved in the process. They were required to wear army uniforms to preserve secrecy of tests. Bomb shafts were dug under camouflage netting. The three shafts were nicknamed as - 'White House', 'Taj Mahal', and 'Kumbhkaran'. Wires were covered with sand. Work was mostly done in the night shift. Everything was returned to the original place to give impression that nothing was moved. Cricket stadiums were built and local tournaments were organized as a distraction. Scientists used to travel under false names. Scientist, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's nickname was Major General Prithviraj. 

Bombs were brought to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan by the Indian Air force from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and then the bombs were transported to the testing sites in 4 Indian army trucks. Timing of the test depended on local factors like wind direction. At 3:45 pm on 11 May 1998 a series of 3 tests - Shakti I, Shakti II and Shakti III were conducted. Two days later, on 13 May - Shakti IV and Shakti V were detonated. 

On 11 May 1998, Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee announced that India conducted three underground nuclear tests. India joined the nuclear club and became the first country other than Permanent 5 countries to possess nuclear weapons. India adopted the doctrine of no first use and these weapons were only for self defense.

Countries like Japan and USA applied sanctions on India. They froze all new loans and grants except humanitarian aid. US banned the export of certain defense technologies and ending American credit. Russia, France, UK refrained from condemning the act. Soon all sanction were lift up and in 2005 India and USA signed the Nuclear deal. Today, India has come up as a responsible nuclear state.

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