India Responds to Claims of Striking Pakistan’s Nuclear Facility at Kirana Hills
On Monday, Air Marshal AK Bharti, the Director General of Air Operations, addressed rumors about India allegedly striking a nuclear facility at Kirana Hills in Pakistan. At a press conference, Bharti responded directly, saying, “We weren’t aware that Kirana Hills hosts any nuclear installations. We have not targeted that area at all.”
The speculation had been fueled by reports claiming that India hit the Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha, which some believe is linked to underground nuclear storage beneath Kirana Hills. Kirana Hills, known for its rocky terrain, is located in Pakistan’s Sargodha district and is often referred to as the “Black Mountains.”
In addition to clearing up the confusion, Bharti praised the performance of India’s air defense systems, particularly the Akash missile system, which performed well during recent operations. The DG of Air Operations reasuredthe public that India’s military bases and defense systems are fully operational and ready for any future missions.
At a joint press briefing on Sunday, Bharti also shared visual evidence showing extensive damage to Pakistan’s military infrastructure, including airfields, radar systems, and air defense positions. This came after Pakistan attempted to target 26 Indian locations, including key air force bases in Udhampur, Pathankot, and Adampur, during the night of May 9-10.
These strikes were part of ‘Operation Sindoor,’ launched by India on May 7 in response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Indian Air Force carried out precise night strikes on nine terror hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting key sites connected to banned groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen, as part of the operation.
The targets included locations in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, with four of the sites in Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
On Saturday, both India and Pakistan announced a bilateral ceasefire, ending military operations across land, air, and sea. The truce was brokered by the United States, with President Donald Trump confirming that both countries had agreed to a full and immediate cessation of hostilities.
Bharti also noted that India’s military leadership remains in close contact with international partners to manage tensions and ensure that India’s armed forces are always prepared for any potential operations, including counter-terrorism missions.
