New Delhi: Did Indian missiles target Pakistan’s nuclear storage site at Kirana Hills? The question caused a storm on social media, with speculative posts suggesting a “warning strike” that left Pakistan scrambling for damage control. But global agencies and officials have poured cold water on these viral assertions.
On Wednesday, May 14, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) dismissed reports of a nuclear incident in Pakistan, denying any radiation release or leak. Responding to a query from The Times of India, IAEA spokesperson Fredrik Dahl said, “We are aware of the reports. Based on information available to the IAEA, there was no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan.”
IAEA and Indian Air Marshal Deny Strike
The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre, responsible for monitoring and coordinating responses to radiation-related emergencies globally, confirmed no unusual activity or emergency alerts from Pakistan’s nuclear sites.
Adding to the official denials, Air Marshal AK Bharti also addressed the speculation during a press conference. “We did not hit Kirana Hills,” he said, before joking, “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills have some nuclear installations. We did not know about it." His light-hearted remark sparked a wave of online memes, with some interpreting his response as a veiled admission.
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US Aircraft Sighting Raises Eyebrows
Complicating matters, flight-tracking platforms such as Flightradar24 revealed the presence of a US Beechcraft B350 Aerial Measuring System (AMS) aircraft, registered as N111SZ in Pakistani airspace. These aircraft are typically deployed by the US Department of Energy to detect radiation in emergency zones, leading to further speculation of a nuclear anomaly.
When asked whether the US was investigating a potential radiation leak in Pakistan, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott declined to comment, stating, “I have nothing to preview on that at this time.”
