Nuclear terrorism remains a threat

WASHINGTON, April 3 (UPI) -- A U.S. Homeland Security Department official says the threat of nuclear terrorism is a constant concern but is currently an unknown probability.

DHS Undersecretary for Intelligence and Analysis Charles Allen said during testimony Wednesday before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs that the threat of a terrorist obtaining nuclear material remains a constant concern. However, Allen estimated that the technical challenges of actually detonating an improvised nuclear devise in the United States remain a significant obstacle to terrorists, the DHS reported.

"Although we have an understanding of terrorist's intent to acquire nuclear weapons, we are less certain about terrorists' capability to acquire or develop a nuclear device," Allen said in a statement.

Allen cited the documented desire of terrorist organizations like al-Qaida to acquire nuclear material and the intent to use that material in weapons of mass destruction. However, Allen says he believes terrorist organizations have not been able to overcome the challenges of obtaining enough nuclear material and devising a functioning weapon. He did say that a terrorist securing nuclear material is of the utmost concern.

"Protecting weapons-usable nuclear material worldwide is one of the best actions to protect the homeland," Allen said. "We need to ensure that we have a layered defense against the potential threat."