NEW DELHI: India on Monday dismissed rumours of strike at Pakistan's alleged nuclear facility at Kirana Hills saying that, "we have not hit, whatever there is," following social media speculation of such an attack.
Responding to media queries, Air Marshal AK Bharti said, "We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there," adding sarcastically, "Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation — we did not know about it."
Air Marshal AK Bharti made these remarks during a joint press briefing with senior military officials — Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai from the Army, Vice Admiral A N Pramod from the Navy, and himself from the Air Force — where they shared details of the Indian Armed Forces ' successful ' Operation Sindoor '.
Social media buzz fuels conspiracies over alleged strike on Pakistan’s nuclear site
Social media has been flooded with speculation after recent earthquakes in Pakistan were bizarrely linked to an alleged Indian strike on a nuclear facility at Kirana Hills, near the Sargodha Air Base.
The rumors intensified after India confirmed hitting Sargodha in retaliation to Pakistani drone and missile attacks.
Unverified reports of US and Egyptian military aircraft seen on flight radar apps added to the online frenzy, with some suggesting they were part of a nuclear containment effort.
The timing of the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement only fueled further conspiracy theories, despite no official confirmation of strike on nuclear sites.
According to the New York Times, a former US official familiar with Pakistan’s nuclear program said Pakistan’s biggest fear is losing control of its nuclear command. The missile strike on Nur Khan airbase, the official added, may have been seen as a signal that India has the capability to target it.
Visual documentation showing substantial damage on Pakistani ordinance
Air Marshal Bharti further clarified that the Indian Armed Forces' actions targeted terrorists and their support networks exclusively, not Pakistan's military forces. The Armed forces presented video evidence showing the impact of their strikes on Pakistani ordinance.
He pointed out that, " Pakistani military chose to intervene and back the terrorists, which compelled us to respond, and whatever loss they suffered, it was their own responsibility."
Bharti also revealed the interception of a Chinese-made PL-15 missile that failed to reach its target, with Indian forces recovering the remnants. The forces also successfully neutralised a long-range rocket, loitering munitions, and various unmanned aerial systems (UAS) deployed by Pakistan.
Earlier, during a Sunday press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti shared visual documentation showing substantial damage to Pakistani air defence radars, airfields, and military facilities. He shared video evidence showing the success of India’s precision air strikes on key Pakistani military targets during 'Operation Sindoor'.
The footage revealed damage to several strategic locations, including air defence radars at Pasrur, Chunian, and Arifwala, alongside major airfields at Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Chaklala (Nur Khan), Sukkur, Bholari, and Jacobabad.
The operation launched on May 7, targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
Responding to media queries, Air Marshal AK Bharti said, "We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there," adding sarcastically, "Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation — we did not know about it."
Air Marshal AK Bharti made these remarks during a joint press briefing with senior military officials — Lt Gen Rajeev Ghai from the Army, Vice Admiral A N Pramod from the Navy, and himself from the Air Force — where they shared details of the Indian Armed Forces ' successful ' Operation Sindoor '.
#OperationSindoor | Delhi: When asked if India hit Kirana Hills, Air Marshal AK Bharti says, "Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there." pic.twitter.com/wcBBVIhif1
— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2025
Social media buzz fuels conspiracies over alleged strike on Pakistan’s nuclear site
Social media has been flooded with speculation after recent earthquakes in Pakistan were bizarrely linked to an alleged Indian strike on a nuclear facility at Kirana Hills, near the Sargodha Air Base.
The rumors intensified after India confirmed hitting Sargodha in retaliation to Pakistani drone and missile attacks.
Unverified reports of US and Egyptian military aircraft seen on flight radar apps added to the online frenzy, with some suggesting they were part of a nuclear containment effort.
The timing of the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement only fueled further conspiracy theories, despite no official confirmation of strike on nuclear sites.
According to the New York Times, a former US official familiar with Pakistan’s nuclear program said Pakistan’s biggest fear is losing control of its nuclear command. The missile strike on Nur Khan airbase, the official added, may have been seen as a signal that India has the capability to target it.
Visual documentation showing substantial damage on Pakistani ordinance
Air Marshal Bharti further clarified that the Indian Armed Forces' actions targeted terrorists and their support networks exclusively, not Pakistan's military forces. The Armed forces presented video evidence showing the impact of their strikes on Pakistani ordinance.
He pointed out that, " Pakistani military chose to intervene and back the terrorists, which compelled us to respond, and whatever loss they suffered, it was their own responsibility."
Bharti also revealed the interception of a Chinese-made PL-15 missile that failed to reach its target, with Indian forces recovering the remnants. The forces also successfully neutralised a long-range rocket, loitering munitions, and various unmanned aerial systems (UAS) deployed by Pakistan.
Earlier, during a Sunday press briefing, Air Marshal Bharti shared visual documentation showing substantial damage to Pakistani air defence radars, airfields, and military facilities. He shared video evidence showing the success of India’s precision air strikes on key Pakistani military targets during 'Operation Sindoor'.
The footage revealed damage to several strategic locations, including air defence radars at Pasrur, Chunian, and Arifwala, alongside major airfields at Sargodha, Rahim Yar Khan, Chaklala (Nur Khan), Sukkur, Bholari, and Jacobabad.
The operation launched on May 7, targeted nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which came in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
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