logo
Nuclear leak whispers around Pakistan's Kirana Hills grow louder — But IAF dismisses claims

Nuclear leak whispers around Pakistan's Kirana Hills grow louder — But IAF dismisses claims

Time of India13-05-2025

India has firmly denied reports that it targeted Pakistan's sensitive
Kirana Hills
nuclear site during its recent air strikes, effectively countering growing social media claims of a radioactive leak and a potential nuclear mishap.
Speaking at a press briefing on 12 May, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, said, 'We have not hit Kirana Hills -- whatever is there. I did not brief about it in my briefing on
Operation Sindoor
yesterday.' In a lighter moment during the same session, he added, 'Thank you for telling us Kirana Hills houses nuclear installations. We did not know it.'
These remarks come as a direct response to widespread online speculation claiming that India had bombed the Kirana Hills region in Pakistan's Sargodha district, home to alleged underground nuclear storage tunnels.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Play War Thunder now for free
War Thunder
Play Now
Undo
The spark behind the nuclear leak theory
The rumours began after India conducted precision air strikes under Operation Sindoor, hitting multiple Pakistani airbases. Among them were Sargodha and Nur Khan—two critical sites in close proximity to nuclear-related infrastructure. Nur Khan airbase, situated in Rawalpindi, is adjacent to Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, which manages its nuclear arsenal. Sargodha, meanwhile, lies about 20 kilometres from Kirana Hills and houses Mushaf Airbase, a major operational centre for Pakistani F-16 and JF-17 fighters.
Although no official declaration has been made by Pakistani authorities or international agencies like the
IAEA
, some online users and
OSINT
analysts have pushed claims of radiation symptoms in civilians and even emergency evacuations. These claims remain unverified.
Live Events
What raised Eyebrows: The US Aircraft
Fuel was added to the fire when flight trackers such as Flightradar24 allegedly spotted a US Beechcraft B350 Aerial Measuring System (AMS) aircraft over Pakistani airspace. The aircraft, with tail number N111SZ, is part of a
US Department of Energy
fleet designed for detecting radioactive contamination in emergency scenarios.
The B350 AMS has previously been used after incidents such as the Fukushima disaster and is equipped with gamma-ray sensors and real-time mapping tools. Its reported presence raised questions: was it deployed by the US in coordination with Pakistan, or was it a Pakistani-owned variant, repurposed for a nuclear response?
Some OSINT accounts suggest this tail number was transferred to Pakistan's Army Aviation in 2010. If accurate, it remains unclear whether Pakistan used this asset to check for radiation leakage or sought external assistance to gauge the aftermath of India's strikes.
Speculation gains global attention
Former CIA officer and current
RAND Corporation
analyst Derek Grossman claimed India's strike on the Nur Khan airbase 'threatened Pakistan's nuclear command' and caused 'a radioactivity leakage.' His remarks, however, were not officially acknowledged by either India or the United States.
A report by The
New York Times
quoted a former US official as saying, 'Pakistan's deepest fear is of its nuclear command authority being decapitated. The missile strike on Nur Khan could have been interpreted… as a warning that India could do just that.' Meanwhile, CNN reported that US Vice President JD Vance allegedly contacted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after receiving 'alarming intelligence.'
Neither Washington nor Islamabad has issued a formal confirmation of these claims.
Egypt's unexpected role
Adding to the intrigue, an Egyptian military transport aircraft was reportedly spotted landing and departing from Murree shortly after the Indian airstrikes. Some social media posts claimed the aircraft carried boron, a substance used to suppress radioactive emissions, though these reports remain unverified.
India's strategic messaging
While denying any strike on nuclear facilities, Indian officials have openly acknowledged targeting high-value military and radar installations across Pakistan, including in Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Karachi, Sialkot, Lahore, and Shorkot.
Air Marshal Bharti
described the strikes on Nur Khan and Sargodha as 'strategic messaging.' A senior officer added, 'More than the actual damage, the hits constituted strategic messaging.'
Satellite imagery suggests that Mushaf Airbase at Sargodha, just 20km from Kirana Hills, suffered damage during the strikes. However, Air Marshal Bharti insisted that Kirana Hills itself was never a target.
ET has not been able independently verify any of these claims.
Kirana Hills: Pakistan's strategic vault
Kirana Hills is considered one of Pakistan's most fortified military zones, widely believed to host over ten underground nuclear tunnels. It sits about 75 kilometres from the Khushab nuclear complex, home to four heavy water reactors used to produce weapons-grade plutonium.
The site has long been viewed by analysts as central to Pakistan's second-strike capability. Its location, along with adjacent airbases, makes it a high-stakes target in any cross-border military calculus.
B350 AMS: What it does
The B350 AMS aircraft, operated by the US Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, is designed to respond to nuclear emergencies by detecting radioactive contamination in air and ground. It can perform low-altitude flights and identify specific isotopes, making it an essential tool in assessing nuclear fallout.
This aircraft has been deployed for nuclear safety missions worldwide and is equipped with advanced data-gathering tools. Its presence over Pakistan—even if unclear whether American or Pakistani-operated—adds a serious tone to the unconfirmed radiation reports.
For now, a ceasefire holds between India and Pakistan. But questions linger.
Was there really a radiation leak at or near Kirana Hills? Why did a highly specialised nuclear emergency aircraft appear in the area? Was its presence part of a regular monitoring mission, or something more?
With no official confirmation from either side, and India standing firm on its account, the truth remains tangled between real military action and speculative narratives. The world, especially neighbouring powers, will be watching closely for any signs that might hint at what really transpired over Pakistan's nuclear heartland.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Tharoor, Owaisi, Sule defended India abroad, Rahul Gandhi betrayed': Himanta
‘Tharoor, Owaisi, Sule defended India abroad, Rahul Gandhi betrayed': Himanta

Hindustan Times

time15 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

‘Tharoor, Owaisi, Sule defended India abroad, Rahul Gandhi betrayed': Himanta

In a rare show of appreciation for their political opponents, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday praised Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi and NCP(SCP) leader Supriya Sule for defending India with dignity abroad. The BJP leader also launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for "tarnishing India's image on international platforms, while contrasting him with these other opposition leaders. Also Read | 'World now knows the truth': Shashi Tharoor-led delegation on Operation Sindoor wraps up US visit "I am thankful to Congress and other opposition leaders, especially Shashi Tharoor, who have strongly defended India's position on foreign soil. Not only him, but leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Supriya Sule also represented India on foreign soil and defended the nation," Himanta was quoted as saying by PTI. "They all stood for India. But the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, did not. He has betrayed the nation. He has betrayed the armed forces," Sarma further alleged. Also Read | 19 Brahmos, Crystal Maze missiles: How India brought Pakistan to its knees during Op Sindoor Himanta Biswa Sarma was referring to the all-party delegations that recently toured several countries, carrying out an anti-terror drive on behalf of the central government. Sarma further accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly raising doubts about India's military strength and questioning the government's response to Pakistan. During a discussion on a resolution in the state assembly over the success of 'Operation Sindoor', Sarma said Gandhi has been constantly asking about India's losses, but never wanted to know the damage incurred by Pakistan in the military conflict. Also Read | Gen Ghai, face of army during Op Sindoor, promoted as dy chief of army staff "Asking about the losses after the military conflict is a different thing, but he asked about India's losses when it was ongoing. However, he never asked about Pakistan's losses," Sarma claimed. Rahul Gandhi often stirred controversies with his remarks abroad, the most recent being his speech at the University of Texas in the United States last year. Addressing the gathering there, Gandhi said, "The West has an employment problem. India has an employment problem... But many countries in the world don't have an employment problem. China certainly doesn't have an employment problem. Vietnam doesn't have an employment problem." Also Read | Did Pakistan hit Adampur, Bhuj air bases during Operation Sindoor? Satellite images show otherwise Recently, Gandhi called out External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for his "damning silence" on the number of aircraft India lost under Operation Sindoor. The Congress MP also accused the EAM of informing Pakistan of the start of India's response in Operation Sindoor.

"Breach Of Principles...": Bombay High Court On Pune Student's Explusion Over Instagram Post On Op Sindoor
"Breach Of Principles...": Bombay High Court On Pune Student's Explusion Over Instagram Post On Op Sindoor

NDTV

time28 minutes ago

  • NDTV

"Breach Of Principles...": Bombay High Court On Pune Student's Explusion Over Instagram Post On Op Sindoor

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Monday set aside the expulsion of a 19-year-old second-year engineering student from Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Pune, who was arrested for an Instagram post related to Operation Sindoor. The Court observed that the expulsion was issued in violation of the principles of natural justice. The bench comprising Justices Makarand S Karnik and Nitin R Borkar ordered that the student was not issued a show-cause notice nor allowed to be heard before the disciplinary action was taken. The court remarked, "Admittedly, the letter of rustication was issued in breach of the principles of natural justice. She was not heard before the letter was issued. Given the matter, the impugned order is set aside." The court held that the expulsion letter was arbitrary and unlawful, and granted liberty to the college authorities to issue an appropriate order only after giving the petitioner an opportunity to be heard and following due process. The student was arrested by the Pune Police on May 9 for allegedly sharing an Instagram story which criticised the Centre over Operation Sindoor. She was later booked under Sections 121, 153, and 505 of the Indian Penal Code. The post was deleted within two hours, and she issued a public apology. Her petition before the High Court sought bail, quashing of the expulsion order, and permission to appear for semester exams scheduled between May 24 and June 3. A vacation bench of the High Court earlier granted her interim bail on May 27 and allowed her to appear for the remaining exams. Regarding the theory and practical exams she missed during custody, the Court on Monday noted that she had made a representation to the college, which was forwarded to the Director of the Board of Examinations and Evaluation, Savitribai Phule Pune University. The court has directed the university to decide the same on merits in an expeditious manner.

Assam assembly passes resolution to name Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika
Assam assembly passes resolution to name Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika

Hindustan Times

time39 minutes ago

  • Hindustan Times

Assam assembly passes resolution to name Dibrugarh airport after Bhupen Hazarika

GUWAHATI: The Assam assembly on Monday passed a resolution to name the Dibrugarh airport after eminent poet, composer and singer Bharat Ratna Bhupen Hazarika. 'It gives me great joy to share that the Assam assembly has unanimously passed the resolution to rename Dibrugarh airport as Dr Bhupen Hazarika airport. This will be a befitting tribute to the legacy of the Bharat Ratna, whose contributions to Assam and Bharat are unparalleled,' chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X. Sarma told the state assembly, which convened for a special one-day session, that the state government has planned year-long celebrations to mark the birth centenary of Hazarika this year. He said that the celebrations will begin in Guwahati on September 8 and conclude on the same date next year in Delhi. The next phase of the celebrations will be spread across places closely associated with Hazarika's life and his illustrious and long career. It will include events in Arunachal Pradesh, where he was born and spent his early years, West Bengal, and Maharashtra, where he pursued his professional career. The state government will also publish a book chronicling the significant events and contributions of Hazarika's life. 'The book will be translated into 23 Indian languages and distributed to colleges, universities, libraries and institutions across the country. We aim to ensure that the legacy of Bhupen Hazarika reaches every Indian household,' Sarma said. The assembly also passed a resolution congratulating the armed forces and the central government for the success of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan last month.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store