Amid a swirl of speculation online and in international media, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti on Monday firmly denied claims that India targeted Pakistan’s alleged nuclear storage facility at Kirana Hills during Operation Sindoor, the recent cross-border military action launched in response to attack in Pahalgam.
“We did not hit Kirana Hills,” Air Marshal Bharti said at a press briefing, responding to a question about whether Indian forces had struck Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile. “Thank you for telling us that Pakistan has stored its nuclear weapons at Kirana Hills — whatever is there. It was not on the list of targets we told you we hit.”
Rumors have been circulating that India targeted sensitive military infrastructure, including Kirana Hills — reportedly near the Sargodha Air Base and believed by some to be a nuclear storage location. These theories gained traction on social media, especially after India confirmed strikes near Sargodha and a ceasefire understanding was reached over the weekend.
Some online users also linked recent earthquakes in Pakistan to the alleged targeting of nuclear assets, and flight radar screenshots purportedly showing U.S. and Egyptian aircraft in Pakistani airspace further fueled conspiracy theories.
Air Marshal Bharti categorically dismissed these claims, reiterating that the purpose of Operation Sindoor “was to strike terror infrastructure, not to escalate conflict with Pakistan’s military or its nuclear capability.”
“Our fight was with terrorists and their support infrastructure, not with the Pakistan military or civilians,” Bharti said. “However, it is a pity that the Pakistan military chose to intervene and bat for the terrorists, which compelled us to respond in kind.”
The briefing also included visual evidence of downed Turkish-origin Songar drones and debris from Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles, reportedly used by Pakistan during its failed retaliation.
India’s official stance remains that its actions were “measured, precise, and targeted solely at eliminating terror threats” — and not intended to escalate to nuclear brinkmanship.
