Recent satellite imagery and an Indian Air Force video have revived speculation about whether Indian strikes extended near Pakistan’s sensitive nuclear-linked zones, particularly around the Kirana Hills area.
A video released by the Indian Air Force highlighting its capabilities during Operation Sindoor has drawn attention for showing damage to multiple sites in Pakistan. Shared on Republic Day, the footage depicted attacks on several Pakistani airbases, some located near areas associated with nuclear infrastructure.
Despite the renewed buzz, Indian authorities have publicly denied targeting Kirana Hills. During a briefing shortly after the operation last year, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of India’s Air Operations, responded to a question on the matter by saying India had not struck Kirana Hills. His slightly humorous tone at the time, however, led to continued speculation.
Defence sources maintain that the IAF’s position has not changed even after the latest video, and no new official clarification has been issued, leaving room for ongoing conjecture.
Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, when India carried out precision strikes on nine militant camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The action followed the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians, mostly tourists, were killed by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
Pakistan responded with drones, missiles, and shelling targeting Indian military and civilian areas. India then struck several important Pakistani airbases, including Nur Khan Airbase, which is located close to the headquarters of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division, the agency responsible for managing its nuclear arsenal.
Separately, satellite images suggested damage at Mushaf Airbase in Sargodha. This base has often been linked in reports to underground nuclear-related facilities believed to exist beneath the Kirana Hills. The hills lie roughly 20 km by road from Sargodha and about 75 km from the Kushab nuclear complex.
Overall, the strikes were widely interpreted as a strong signal from New Delhi that it has the reach and capability to hit strategically significant targets deep inside Pakistan if required.
