HVK Archives: We detonated 3 bombs by pulling one trigger
We detonated 3 bombs by pulling one trigger - The Times of India
Srinivas Laxman
()
May 19, 1998
Title: We detonated 3 bombs by pulling one trigger
Author: Srinivas Laxman
Publication: The Times of India
Date: May 19, 1998
The office of Rajgopal Chidambaram, chairperson of the Atomic
Energy Commission, at the Old Yacht Club here, is inundated with
congratulatory messages for his crucial role in the recent
implosions of five nuclear bombs. The unassuming Mr Chidambaram
returned to Mumbai on Monday after participating in a series of
post- Operation Shakti meetings in New Delhi. He is returning to
the capital on Tuesday to accompany Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee
to Pokhran the following day. In this interview to The Times of
India, he confirms that one of the devices which was detonated on
May 11 was a hydrogen bomb. Excerpts:
How many days before the blasts did the scientists reach ground
zero (the exact spot where the bombs were tested) at Pokhran to
prepare for the nuclear tests?
We received the green signal from the government around April 10
and then the preparations began with the help of the army and the
air force. A lot of scientists were at the site days before the
tests. The army provided most of the infrastructure, including
the supply of food and water to those who were working in the
area. This aspect is scarcely known. I think the army needs full
commendation for the excellent support it provided scientists and
engineers.
Could you describe the scene around ground zero prior to the
explosion?
An hour-and-a-half before the tests were carried out an on May
11, an army team went to Khelotai village, which is located 35
kilometres from ground zero at Pokhran, to request the villagers
to vacate the area. We thought there would be protests. On the
other hand, the team was surprised when the villagers said they
were aware of the tests and were happy about them. They insisted
that the tests should be carried out and said they would not
really mind if their houses suffered slight damage because of the
explosions.
Why were the devices detonated at 3.45 pm. on May 11?
Originally, we had planned to complete the tests between 9 a.m.
and 10 a.m. on that day. But we were unable to do so because of
the wind direction. We wanted the wind to blow in the north-
eastern direction, but this was not happening. It was burning in
the desert, with the temperature shooting up to nearly 40
degrees. We had no choice but to simply wait in the control room,
hoping that the wind would change its direction, but for quite
some time, it refused to oblige us. Even as we were wondering
about the next step. suddenly around 3.40 p.m., luck came our way
and the wind changed direction. At 3.45 p.m., the trigger was
pulled.
Who pulled the trigger?
That is a secret. But I can tell You that by pulling one trigger,
we detonated all the three devices. The control room was located
three-and-a-half kilometres from ground zero. The distance
between the two holes where the two fission devices and a
thermonuclear device (hydrogen bomb) were buried was just a
kilometer.
Then what happened?
In Delhi, Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee and a few others were
eagerly awaiting the news from Pokhran.
>From the hotline located in the control room, one of us informed
Mr Vajpayee about the success of the mission. Unlike the May 18,
1974 test at Pokhran, there was no coded message. It was a
straightforward message saying that the mission was successful.
We then drove to ground zero and were happy to find that there
was absolutely no radiation fallout.
How many scientists were actually involved in Operation Shakti?
Quite a large number, including those of the defence research and
development organisation (DRDO). It was a joint operation of the
department of atomic energy and the DRDO. Considering this large
number of scientists and engineers, it is heartening to note that
complete secrecy was maintained. This, I think, is entirely
because of the fact that the scientists and engineers were a
committed lot.
What about the recording of the explosions by different
seismological units?
The international centre at Arlington in. the U.S. initially
called it an earthquake because of the complex signal. But I am,
happy to inform you that on Monday they corrected it.
What was the message conveyed through the atomic tests?
The real message is that India is in a position to make all types
of nuclear-weapon devices and calculate its yields.
Weaponisation is now possible.
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