India on Monday debunked stories floating on social media that Indian Air Force (IAF) in its offensive against the Pakistan military installations hit Kirana Hills, which is said to house its nuclear facility.

The speculation on the social media platforms also hinted that the hit on Kirana Hills sparked off some kind of radiations which a US air force plane tried to pick up on in that particular region.

At a tri-services briefing on Monday, Director General Air Operations Air Marshal AK Bharti said to a query, “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses some nuclear installation, we did not know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there.”

The IAF’s strikes hit an airbase in Sargodha and there were some reports which suggested that the base was linked to an underground nuclear storage facility in Kirana Hills which China is helping its ally to upgrade.

However, the vast rocky mountain range on which sits Kirana Hills, is a Pakistan defence designated area in Sargodha district, Punjab province of the neighbouring country. Locals refer it to as the “Black Mountains” due to the colour of its terrain.

Published on May 12, 2025