Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has expressed concern over the possibility of Pakistan's nuclear weapons falling into the hands of jihadists, which she said was "a threatening scenario", media reported.

The former secretary of state said at a close-door fundraiser in Virginia, that, "Pakistan is running full speed to develop tactical nukes in their continuing hostility with India."

The Times of India reported, "But we live in fear that they're going to have a coup, that jihadists are going to take over the government, they're going to get access to nuclear weapons, and you'll have suicide nuclear bombers. So, this could not be a more threatening scenario," Clinton said.

"This is one of the most dangerous developments imaginable," she said.

Pakistani defence minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif, said that, "If our safety is threatened, we will annihilate them (India)."

"Nuclear capable states have the responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities," a state department official said.

It said if Pakistan wants to prevent an escalation of violence it needs to shut down the terror groups it continues to support. "That should start with Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba, two major jihadist groups that operate openly in Pakistan and are prime suspects in these attacks," it said.

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Nandini