Did India Hit Pakistan’s Nuclear Site At Kirana Hills? Aussie Analyst Claims So, Ex-Military Men Disagree

Speculation is rife following last week's four-day military confrontation, with numerous reports suggesting that India may have targeted Pakistan's nuclear weapons storage sites.

Despite these claims, neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has officially confirmed such actions. On Monday, Air Marshal AK Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, addressed the matter, stating that India had not targeted Pakistan's Kirana Hills - a site rumoured to host nuclear facilities.

What India Says About Hitting Pak's Nuclear Site

Responding pointedly to a question during a press briefing, Bharti remarked, "Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills."

Nevertheless, before-and-after satellite imagery indicates that Indian precision strikes inflicted visible damage on some Pakistani installations. At Bholari Air Base, located under 100 miles from Karachi, Indian defense officials have confirmed a targeted strike on an aircraft hangar and satellite visuals corroborate the damage.

One of the most strategically sensitive sites struck was the Nur Khan Air Base. Situated within 15 miles of both Pakistan's Army Headquarters and the Prime Minister's office - and near the unit guarding the country's nuclear arsenal - this strike underscores the operation's calculated precision.

The Indian military further confirmed it had focused on runways and infrastructure at major Pakistani air bases. Satellite photos supported this claim. On May 10, Pakistan announced that Rahim Yar Khan air base runway was non-operational.

At Sargodha air base in Punjab province, Indian forces reportedly used guided munitions to target two parts of the runway.

Did India Really Hit Pakistan's Nuclear Base?

Amid these developments, Austrian military historian and aerial warfare expert Tom Cooper told Times Now that video footage serves as compelling evidence of Indian strikes on Pakistan's nuclear facilities.

He said: "It's relatively simple in military terms ... Pakistan attempted to hit back at India with UAVs, with artillery missiles, even with ballistic missiles... this effort failed because Indian air defences shot down the mass of incoming weaponry. On the other hand we have seen early on May 10 the IAF striking not only PAF bases but also the entrance, both entrances, to the Pakistan nuclear weapons storage site at Mushaf air base... And the fact is, in the way the military understands warfare, when you start targeting enemy nuclear weapon storage sites, it means you are absolutely sure the enemy cannot hit back... And from this point of view, it's a clear-cut victory for India."

"There is a video clearly showing hits on entrances, on both entrances of the nuclear storage site, which means it has been geo-confirmed... of course, Pakistanis, a few I have spoken to, they have said, 'No.' But I have a strong feeling ... that India is not shooting missiles wildly around the place where their (Pakistani) nuclear weapons are stored. So, the overall conclusion is that New Delhi does not want to further escalate. And once you keep in mind, Indian generals in particular ... they are stolidly conservative ... they wouldn't let anybody randomly shoot missiles in that direction. This is a clear message. We can hit you where it hurts. The conclusion is unavoidable. Pakistan cannot protect its own nuclear weapon storage sites, cannot even protect its air bases. Therefore, India is in a position of clear advantage..."

What Ex-India Military Men Say

Meanwhile, retired Lt Gen KJS 'Tiny' Dhillon told the Tribune that he does not believe India targeted Pakistan's nuclear assets. Referring to Air Marshal Bharti's earlier clarification, he said, "Air Marshal Bharati said we have hit Sargodha airbase and not the Kirana Hills. Kirana Hills is 13-14 kms away from Sargodha airbase. Since our targeting is so precise, it hit the Sargodha airbase and nowhere near Kiarana hills. Because if we have to hit Kirana Hills there are different weapons system. But we are a responsible nuclear state and we go by the international ethos. I am not sure when but today we will never hit a nuclear arsenal of Pakistan, because the level of skirmish is going on. We hit a lot of airbases to put their air assets out of action and to display our military's strength."

Adding to the cautious voices, retired Indian Army Brigadier Kuldip Singh, in a piece published by The Quint, noted that India would only consider targeting Pakistan's nuclear sites if it were fully capable of eliminating the entire stockpile in a single, comprehensive first strike. He emphasized that such an act would only be contemplated by a calculated and professional military leadership.