A threat alert was sounded in USA as an alleged Chinese spy balloon was spotted over American airspace.
The Pentagon on 2 February 2023 said that the government was tracking the high-altitude surveillance balloon which is as big as 3 buses. Officials said that immediate action was taken to prevent collection of sensitive information by the balloon.
"NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) continues to track and monitor it closely," Pentagon Spokesman Brigadier Gen Pat Ryder told reporters. US President Joe Biden has been briefed about the incident, a senior defence official said, adding the Pentagon is exploring various options.
The Pentagon added that the balloon does not pose a threat to commercial air traffic as it is flying at a higher altitude. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Mark Milley and US Northern Command Gen Glen VanHerck have recommended not to "take kinetic action” because of the potential risk to the safety and security of people on the ground from the possible debris field, officials said.
The development came days ahead of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to Beijing.
“Currently, we assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective. But we are taking steps nevertheless to protect against foreign intelligence collection of sensitive information," said a defence official.
(With agency inputs)
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