United States: The Pentagon said on Thursday that it was tracking a Chinese spy balloon flying over the United States that could be surveilling highly sensitive nuclear weapons sites.

The balloon is said to be flying over the northwest region of the US where there are sensitive airbases and strategic missiles.

A senior defence official said, at President Joe Biden’s request, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and top military officials considered shooting the balloon down but decided doing so would endanger too many people on the ground.

Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said, “The balloon is currently traveling at an altitude well above commercial air traffic. It does not present a military or physical threat to people on the ground.”

“Clearly, the intent of this balloon is for surveillance, and the current flight path does carry it over a number of sensitive sites. We assess that this balloon has limited additive value from an intelligence collection perspective”, the defence official said. The balloon entered US airspace “a couple of days ago,” the defence official added. Fighter jets examined the balloon while it was above Montana as discussions took place between top military officials.

Prior, China sent surveillance balloons over the United States in the past. The senior defence official said this one has lingered in US airspace much longer. “We have communicated to them the seriousness of the issue. We have made clear we will do whatever is necessary to protect our people in our own land,” the official added.

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