IAF Denies Striking Pakistan’s Kirana Hills Nuclear Site Amid Rising Tensions

Following fierce cross-border discussions, the Indian Air Force has categorically denied targeting Pakistan's nuclear plant at Kirana Hills during its recent retaliatory strikes.

During a press event on Monday, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, clarified the Indian military's position. "Thank you for informing us that Kirana Hills houses a nuclear installation. We were not aware of it. And we have not targeted Kirana Hills, whatever is there," Bharti said in answer to a media question on whether India had bombed the area.

These remarks came amid circulating claims that the Indian Air Force may have utilised hovering and penetrating munitions to target Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha, a site long suspected of being linked to subterranean nuclear storage tunnels beneath the Kirana Hills.

Air Marshal Bharti also took the opportunity to praise the performance and readiness of Indian forces in recent combat conflicts. "Another highlight was the stellar performance of indigenous air defence weapons like the Akash system," said the journalist.

"All our military bases and systems continue to remain fully operational and ready to undertake any mission," Bharti told reporters.

During a joint press briefing on Sunday, Indian authorities showed visual evidence of considerable destruction to Pakistan's air defence radars, airfields, and crucial military equipment.

Operation Sindoor and Indian Response

On May 7, India initiated its retaliation campaign, codenamed Operation Sindoor, in direct response to the April 22 terror assault in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 persons, the most of them tourists. The Indian Air Force launched strikes after Pakistan attempted coordinated attacks on 26 Indian sites, including airbases at Udhampur, Pathankot, and Adampur, on the night of May 9-10.

As part of the operation, the IAF conducted precision nighttime air attacks on nine terror hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The airstrikes targeted infrastructure associated with banned terrorist groups including as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen.

The specific targets included:

• Markaz Subhan Allah at Bahawalpur
• Sarjal at Tehra Kalan
• Markaz Abbas in Kotli
• Syedna Bilal Camp in Muzaffarabad - all connected to Jaish-e-Mohammed
• Markaz Taiba in Murdike
• Markaz Ahle Hadith at Barnala
• Shwawai Nalla Camp in Muzaffarabad - all associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba

These precise strikes were carried out to neutralise the operational capabilities of these terror outfits.

Ceasefire Agreement Brokered by U.S.

On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached a mutual agreement to cease all hostilities across land, air, and sea. The ceasefire deal came following high-level U.S.-mediated diplomatic efforts. President Donald Trump confirmed the development, stating that both nations had agreed to a "full and immediate" cessation of military operations.