Air Marshal Dixit Dismisses Claims of Indian Strike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills Nuclear Site

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), has dismissed circulating claims suggesting that the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a strike on Pakistan's Kirana Hills, an area reputedly linked to nuclear activities. At the CNN-News18 Defence Townhall, he responded to these allegations with a straightforward denial, stating: “I don’t think so,” when questioned about the purported operation.

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Located in Pakistan's Punjab province near Sargodha, Kirana Hills has been the subject of speculation for decades, with rumors suggesting it houses nuclear weapon test facilities and warhead storage. This area gained strategic significance in the 1980s when Pakistan allegedly conducted non-nuclear explosive tests in its underground tunnels. Declassified intelligence documents have frequently implied that Kirana Hills might be a storage location for Pakistan's estimated 170 nuclear warheads.

Speculation about an Indian strike on Kirana Hills intensified following Operation Sindoor in May 2025, during which the IAF launched precision attacks on Pakistani military targets in response to a fatal terror attack in Kashmir. Social media discussions and reports from Pakistani sources, including the ISI-aligned Center for International Strategic Studies Sindh (CISSS), suggested that India had aimed to weaken Pakistan's nuclear capabilities by targeting Kirana Hills.

These unconfirmed reports caused significant concern, especially after Pakistan's National Command Authority (NCA) convened an emergency meeting following Operation Sindoor, indicating a heightened state of nuclear readiness. This development further fueled speculation that Kirana Hills might have been an Indian target.

Air Marshal Dixit noted that such an action would have marked a considerable escalation. Given India’s declared no-first-use (NFU) nuclear policy and its focus on strategic restraint, an attack on a potential nuclear site seems contrary to New Delhi's strategy. Conversely, Pakistan lacks a similar NFU policy and possesses tactical nuclear weapons to counter India's conventional military advantage, making any offensive against its nuclear assets extremely sensitive.

Operation Sindoor primarily targeted key Pakistani Air Force (PAF) installations, including airbases and radar systems, rather than focusing on nuclear infrastructure. The proximity of Kirana Hills to the Sargodha Air Base, one of the reported targets, may have contributed to the confusion.

No credible evidence has surfaced to substantiate the theory of a strike on Kirana Hills. The absence of satellite imagery, official confirmation, or independent verification suggests that the narrative may be driven by misinformation or exaggerated claims to portray India as the aggressor.

In summary, despite heightened regional tensions following Operation Sindoor, Air Marshal Dixit's denial serves as a strong counter to speculative claims. The actions of the Indian military align with its doctrine of measured response and conventional deterrence, distancing itself from the nuclear brinkmanship implied by some reports.