China's 'spy balloon' spying on US and Canada; Pentagon puts fighter jets

Washington: For the past few days, a sensational incident has come to light of China’s ‘balloons’ spying in the US. The US Department of Defense has taken serious note of this and President Joe Biden has ordered an investigation. Incidents of spying by Chinese balloons have also come to light in Canada along with the US and some media outlets have claimed that two balloons have been found. China’s foreign ministry has reacted, saying that the US is making unrealistic claims.

For the past few days, there have been claims of a huge white balloon flying in the sky in Montana, USA. Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder explained that this balloon is a ‘high altitude surveillance’ type balloon and the US Department of Defense is monitoring it. Ryder also said the balloon was hovering over the northern US state of Montana and travelling at a higher altitude than commercial and passenger planes. The Pentagon spokesman claimed that the balloon had travelled through a sensitive area but did not pose a threat.

But in the American political circle, this has had an aggressive reaction. Montana State Senator Steve Daines wrote a scathing letter to the Department of Defense expressing deep concern. Daines wrote in the letter that the Chinese spy balloon could target the air force and nuclear weapons bases in Montana. He also demanded that the US Department of Defense give a detailed explanation about the said balloon’s path and objectives. Some members of US Congress have demanded that a ‘security briefing’ be given immediately in Congress on this issue.

The US Department of Defense has informed President Joe Biden about the incident. Biden has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. Some media reported that Biden had suggested striking down the balloon, but the Pentagon had rejected it. But it has not been concretely confirmed. Air bases in Montana and nearby states have been put on alert and some fighter jets have been scrambled to watch for the balloon. Sources associated with the Pentagon claimed that there had been incidents of ballooning in this way before.

It has also been revealed that the balloon had carried out surveillance in parts of Canada before the US. It is also being reported that a similar Chinese Balloon has been found in Canada. Canada said it was taking steps in collaboration with the US in this regard. Meanwhile, China has released a statement about the incident.

‘China had deployed balloons for meteorological research. However, due to the winds, the balloons strayed from the planned route and went into the US airspace. We deeply regret the entry into US territory,’ the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement. Earlier, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman had accused the US of giving undue importance to the incident.

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