In a vigorous move against terror, the Indian Army launched Operation Sindoor, sparking widespread claims on social media. Although post-ceasefire conditions between the nations eased, border tensions persist. During a press briefing, the army emphasized that "Operation Sindoor" remains ongoing.
Amidst this, social media saw numerous allegations of an Indian attack on a nuclear facility in Sargodha, Pakistan, during Operation Sindoor. While Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha was rumored as India’s missile target, Air Marshal AK Bharti dismissed claims of targeting any nuclear facility in Kirana Hills during a Monday briefing.
Air Marshal Bharti stated, “We did not attack Kirana Hills; I did not mention it in my briefing yesterday.” These locations are just 7 kilometers apart, with viral social media footage depicting dense smoke billowing from the rugged mountain peaks. The lack of high-resolution satellite imagery makes it challenging to determine whether any nuclear properties in Kirana Hills were targeted.
Social media footage posted on the day of the alleged attack shows smoke rising from nearby peaks. Based on geolocation by India Today's open-source intelligence (OSINT) team, the smoke source may be near these peaks. Intriguingly, Air Marshal Bharti also denied the existence of nuclear properties in Kirana Hills.
Source: aajtak
In a viral social media video, an individual claims that the Indian army launched missile attacks on Kirana Hills.
Source: aajtak
When Was Kirana Hills Recognized?
A 2023 report identified Kirana Hills and its surroundings as a “subcritical nuclear test site,” published by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists NGO. The report suggested possible ammunition storage areas, Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) garages, and at least ten underground storage facilities in the site. These findings were part of the Nuclear Notebook, written by scientists from the Federation of American Scientists for the Bulletin, a global security think tank.
Geolocation of social media footage suggests the smoke source might be less than a kilometer from the missile transport vehicle store mentioned in the report. The affected area lies approximately 550 meters from a radar perched atop a hill. The video’s geolocation closely matches the Google Earth locale alongside its depiction of a nearby mosque correlating with high-resolution satellite imagery, confirming the site.
Source: aajtak
What’s in Sargodha?
Sargodha Garrison is an expansive campus within and surrounding Kirana Hills, allegedly employed by Pakistan to progress its nuclear program between 1983 to 1990. North-west of a potential conventional munitions storage area, ten scattered potential TEL garages appear, accompanied by two extra garages possibly for maintenance.
Senior researcher Matt Korda highlighted in his report that unlike other TEL facilities across the country, this TEL area lacks standard layout and perimeter. An underground storage facility is positioned east of the conventional munitions site, carved into the mountainside.
Hans M. Kristensen and his team noted in their report that “commercial satellite imagery reveals at least 10 underground facility entrances alongside necessary weapon and missile handling facilities.” Lacking immediate post-attack satellite images of Kirana Complex hindered further analysis.
Besides Sargodha, attacks also occurred at Pakistani airfields posited to accommodate Mirage III and Mirage V fighter jets, believed to play nuclear delivery roles, including two main bases — Masroor and Rafiqui near Shorkot.
Confirmation of Damage on Mushaf Airbase Runway
While no official confirmation exists for Masroor, Indian Army Colonel Sophia Qureshi confirmed India attacked Rafiqui Airbase. A low-resolution satellite image from the site showed a crater. Both satellite imagery and official sources verified the Mushaf Airbase runway damage post-May 10 attack.
The base is situated approximately 10 kilometers from Lahore, housing F-16A/B fighter jets with a 1600-kilometer range, theoretically capable of carrying a single nuclear bomb on the centerline pylon. However, Pakistan, committed to the U.S., cannot modify these jets' nuclear capabilities.
Source: aajtak
New F-16C/D aircraft are stationed at Shahbaz Airbase near Jacobabad, which has seen extensive expansion since 2004 with numerous weapon bunkers added. High-resolution satellite imagery indicates a precise hit on a hangar on the main apron, possibly causing partial damage to the air traffic control building.
