Nuclear threat: Theft of radioactive material increased across the world, is this a big alarm bell?

New Delhi: Last year, at least 168 worrying incidents of theft or loss of nuclear and radioactive materials were reported in 31 countries around the world. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed serious concern about six of these incidents. The number of suspicious cases registered in the last 30 years is increasing, which include smuggling, loss or theft of nuclear and radioactive materials. Of these cases reported since 1993, 350 may be related to serious smuggling or misuse, which can lead to disastrous consequences. These radioactive materials can be used to make bombs, which are made by mixing radioactive materials with explosives and can cause widespread environmental pollution. Terrorist groups or other non-state weapons groups can also use these materials to make destructive nuclear weapons.