Following India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terror sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), social media erupted with claims of a nuclear radiation leak at Kirana Hills, a secretive Pakistani military zone near Sargodha. Fueled by reports of a U.S. nuclear emergency aircraft and unverified satellite imagery, the rumors suggested India’s strikes damaged a nuclear facility, causing a crisis. India, Pakistan, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have dismissed these claims, but speculation persists. This article investigates the truth behind the Kirana Hills nuclear leak narrative, its origins, and the evidence.
In This Article:
Origins of the Rumor
The speculation began after India’s strikes hit Sargodha’s Mushaf Airbase, 20 km from Kirana Hills, a site linked to Pakistan’s nuclear program since the 1980s. Known for subcritical tests from 1983–1990, Kirana Hills is believed to house tunnels storing nuclear warheads.
A U.S. Department of Energy B350 AMS aircraft, designed to detect radiation, was spotted over Pakistan, as tracked by Flightradar24, sparking fears of a nuclear emergency. Eurasian Times reported claims of an Egyptian plane carrying boron, used to suppress radiation, landing in Murree, further fueling speculation. A viral “Radiological Safety Bulletin” alleging a leak was later debunked as fake by Newschecker and BOOM for misspellings and invalid formats.
Official Denials and IAEA Confirmation
India categorically denied targeting Kirana Hills. Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, stated on May 12, “We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there,” sarcastically noting he was unaware of its nuclear role. The Ministry of External Affairs’ Randhir Jaiswal deflected leak questions, urging Pakistan to clarify. Pakistan’s DG ISPR, Sharif Ahmed Chaudhary, also rejected claims of nuclear damage.
On May 14, the IAEA, the global nuclear watchdog, confirmed, “Based on information available, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan.” Its Incident and Emergency Centre reported no alerts or medical emergencies indicative of a leak, per Mathrubhumi. The U.S. State Department’s Tommy Pigott evaded leak questions, adding ambiguity but no evidence.
What Fueled the Speculation?
The rumor’s traction stems from Kirana Hills’ strategic significance and the conflict’s intensity. Located near Sargodha and 75 km from the Khushab nuclear complex, the hills are a fortified zone with radar and tunnels. India’s strikes on nearby airbases, including Sargodha and Nur Khan, using BrahMos missiles, caused significant damage, with 20% of Pakistan’s air force infrastructure hit.
The B350 AMS aircraft’s presence, likely for routine monitoring post-conflict, was misinterpreted as evidence of a crisis. Firstpost noted no seismic data or health crises support earthquake-related leak claims. Defense expert Lt. Gen. A.K. Bhatt told India TV that damaging Kirana’s bunkers would require precise targeting, unlikely in Operation Sindoor’s scope.
The Truth: No Credible Evidence
As of May 16, 2025, no credible evidence supports a nuclear leak at Kirana Hills. The IAEA’s denial, backed by India and Pakistan’s rejections, debunks the rumor. Social media claims, including fake documents and unverified videos, lack substantiation. The aircraft sightings reflect heightened monitoring, not a confirmed incident.
Implications and Lessons
The Kirana Hills rumor underscores how social media can amplify unverified claims, risking panic or escalation. Pakistan’s nuclear opacity, as criticized by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who called for IAEA oversight, fuels such speculation. Both nations’ denials and the ceasefire’s continuation suggest a mutual interest in de-escalation, but trust remains fragile. Robust fact-checking and transparency are critical to counter disinformation in future crises.
-By Manoj H
