Washington: The Pentagon has denied reports that the US plans to release to Pakistan advanced versions of F-16 fighter jets that were sold in late 1980s, but never delivered because of Islamabad's nuclear arms program.

"It is a completely false story," commander Randy Sandoz, a Pentagon spokesman, said on June 19 referring to media reports about the deal.

The United States blocked the delivery to Pakistan of 28 F-16s after deciding it could no longer certify that Pakistan had no nuclear program.

Pakistan went public as a nuclear power in May 1998 when it test-detonated several nuclear devices.

Agencies