US Military ‘locked and loaded’ to face Pyongyang provocation: Trump

New Delhi [India] Aug. 11 : United States President Donald Trump issued a warning to North Korea on Friday that the US military is 'locked and loaded' to deal with any provocation from Pyongyang.

In a recent tweet, Trump wrote, "Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.

Hopefully, Kim Jong Un will find another path!" It came a day after his Defense Secretary James Mattis said the United States was ready to counter any threat from Pyongyang.

Reportedly, Pyongyang is finalising a plan to fire missiles near the US territory of Guam, to which, the Pacific island's homeland security agency has issued a factsheet with tips for the residents to be prepared for any kind of missile threat.

The United States President, in this regard, has earlier said "will be met with fire, fury, and frankly, power, the likes of which this world has never seen before." However, according to a CNN report, President Trump has reiterated his bellicose warning to North Korea, suggesting that his threat to unleash "fire and fury" may not have gone far enough.

"Maybe it wasn't tough enough," Trump said during a lengthy exchange with reporters Thursday at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

North Korea has called U.S. president Donald Trump's warning of "fire and fury" against Pyongyang a "load of nonsense." According to state-run news agency KCNA, North Korea's military said in a statement that only "absolute force" can work on someone as "bereft of reason" as Trump.

The statement further said that the country's military will develop a battle plan by mid-August to launch four intermediate range missiles at Guam before conveying it to leader Kim Jong-un, who will make a decision on whether to proceed.

Meanwhile, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea to stop any action that would lead to the collapse of Kim Jong-Un's regime.

"The DPRK (North Korea) should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people," Mattis said in a statement.

He added that the United States and its allies have demonstrated capabilities and unquestionable commitment to defend them from any attack.

"Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability.

The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons," he said.

Source: ANI