Nuclear leaks whispers growing around Kirana Hills in Pakistan – but the IAF dismisses claims
“We didn’t hit Kirana Hills – whatever happened there. I didn’t give a brief introduction to this in yesterday’s Sindoor operation,” Ak Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, said in a May 12 press conference. In the same meeting, he added: “Thank you for telling us about the Kirana Hills house nuclear facility. We don’t know.”
The remarks are a direct response to widespread online speculation, claiming that India bombed the Kirana Mountain area in the Sagoda region of Pakistan, home to the so-called underground nuclear storage tunnel.
Sparks behind nuclear leak theory
The rumor began with India’s precise air strikes under Operation Sindor, hitting multiple Pakistani air bases. These include Sargodha and Nur Khan, two key locations that are very close to nuclear-related infrastructure. Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi is adjacent to Pakistan’s Strategic Planning Department, which manages its nuclear arsenal. Meanwhile, Sargodha is located about 20 kilometers from Kirana Hills, and the house is the main operation center of Pakistan’s F-16 and JF-17 fighter jets.
Although Pakistani authorities or international agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency have not yet made official statements, some online users and OSINT analysts have pushed claims of radiation symptoms for civilians even emergency evacuation. These claims are still unproven.
What Caused Eyebrows: American Aircraft
When a US Beach Craft B350 Aeronautical Survey System (AMS) aircraft was allegedly found in Pakistani airspace, flight trackers such as the Flighttradar24, such as the Flighttradar24, added fuel. The aircraft has the tail of the N111SZ and is part of the U.S. Department of Energy and aims to detect radioactive contamination in emergencies. The B350 AMS has been previously used after events such as the Fukushima disaster and is equipped with a gamma-ray sensor and real-time mapping tool. The existence of the report raises the question: Is the United States in coordination with Pakistan or is it a variant owned by Pakistan to be repurposed for nuclear reactions? Some Osint claims suggest that the tail was transferred to Pakistan’s Army Aviation in 2010. If correct, it is still unclear, it is unclear whether Pakistan leaked in a distance to perform long-range leaks.
Speculation attracted global attention
Derek Grossman, a former CIA official and current Rand analyst, claimed that India’s strike against Nur Khan Airbase “threatening Pakistan’s nuclear command” and caused a “radioactive leak.” However, none of his remarks have been formally recognized by India or the United States.
A report from the New York Times quoted a former U.S. official as saying: “Pakistan’s deepest fear is that its nuclear command was beheaded. A missile strike against Nur Khan could have been explained… because of warning India could do it.” Meanwhile, CNN reported that U.S. Vice President JD Vance allegedly contacted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after receiving “shocking intelligence.”
Neither Washington nor Islamabad formally confirmed these claims.
An unexpected role in Egypt
It is reported that an Egyptian military transport aircraft was found landing and departing from Murray shortly after the Indian air strike. Some social media posts claim that the boron carried by the plane is a substance used to suppress radioactive emissions, although these reports have not been proven.
Strategic messaging in India
While denying any strikes on nuclear facilities, Indian officials publicly acknowledged high-value military and radar facilities targeting Pakistan throughout, including Rawalpindi, Sagoda, Karachi, Siarkot, Lahore and Shokot.
Marshal Bharti Air Marshal described the strike against Nur Khan and Sargodha as “strategic news.” “It’s not just the actual loss, the hit rate also constitutes a strategic messaging,” one senior official added.
Satellite images show that Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha, just 20 kilometers from Kirana Hills, suffered damage during the strike. But Marshal Balti Air insists that Kirana Hills himself was never a target.
ET cannot independently verify any of these claims.
Kirana Hills: Pakistan’s strategic vault
Kirana Hills is considered one of Pakistan’s most fortified military zones, and is widely believed to have more than a dozen underground nuclear tunnels. It is about 75 kilometers from the Khushab nuclear complex and is home to four heavy water reactors for the production of weapon-grade pruts.
Analysts have long regarded the location as the core of Pakistan’s second-strike function. Its location, along with its adjacent air base, makes it a high-risk target for any cross-border military calculus.
B350 AMS: What does it do
The B350 AMS aircraft operated by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Safety Administration is designed to respond to nuclear emergencies by detecting radioactive contamination in the air and ground. It can perform low-altitude flights and identify specific isotopes, making it an important tool for evaluating nuclear radiation.
The aircraft has been deployed as a global nuclear safety mission and is equipped with advanced data collection tools. Its presence in Pakistan (even if it is unclear whether Americans or Pakistani run it) has a serious tone for unconfirmed radiation reports.
Currently, a ceasefire is held between India and Pakistan. But the problem continues.
Is there a radiation leak in Kirana Hills or nearby? Why are highly professional nuclear first aid aircraft appearing in the area? Is its existence part of a regular monitoring task?
On neither side, India persists, and truth remains entangled between real military action and speculative narratives. The world, especially the neighboring powers, will be closely watching any signs that may suggest the core of Pakistan.
