Operation Sindhu, Gharana Hills Nuclear Strike Rumors, and IAEA Clarification – A Comprehensive Overview
In May 2025, following the deadly terrorist attack on Indian security forces in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian military launched a decisive counter-offensive code-named “Operation Sindhu.” This strategic and highly coordinated operation not only targeted key terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), but also triggered a geopolitical storm due to unverified rumors of a nuclear site being hit in Pakistan’s Gharana Hills.
This article delves deep into the events, the rumors of a nuclear fallout, satellite evidence, and the eventual clarification issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Spark: Pahalgam Terror Attack
The trigger for Operation Sindhu was a terror attack in Pahalgam on Indian Army soldiers, resulting in multiple casualties. India attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed terror outfits operating from PoK.
The Indian public, already agitated by repeated border skirmishes and terror strikes, demanded swift retribution. Within days, India’s defense forces launched a massive coordinated retaliatory strike.
Operation Sindhu: Objective and Impact
The Indian armed forces executed Operation Sindhu with precision airstrikes and missile launches aimed at eliminating terrorist camps, command centers, and logistical bases across PoK and beyond.
Key Targets Hit (as per Indian defense sources):
- 9 terrorist camps destroyed
- 21 training and launch pads neutralized
- Over 100 militants killed
- Pakistani military bases at Noor Khan, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sargodha, Sialkot, and Basrur radar site reportedly targeted
While the Indian Air Force (IAF) officially maintained that these were anti-terror strikes, reports of damage to Pakistan’s military logistics and radar infrastructure suggested a broader strategic intent.
Gharana Hills and the Nuclear Strike Rumor
Following the strikes, between May 10–12, Pakistan reported three back-to-back earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.7, 4.0, and 4.6 centered near Rahim Yar Khan, close to the Gharana Hills, long suspected to house Pakistan’s nuclear storage and assembly facilities.
The timing and location of the tremors sparked widespread speculation online that:
“India struck a Pakistani nuclear weapons storage site in Gharana Hills.”
Social media was flooded with:
- Satellite imagery comparisons (pre- and post-strike)
- Claims of increased radiation in the region
- Reports of American aircraft conducting radiation surveillance flights over Pakistan
The hypothesis: The strikes caused underground explosions or secondary detonations at a nuclear arms depot.
IAF’s Official Response
The Indian Air Force was quick to respond. In a press briefing, Air Marshal A.K. Bharathi denied the rumors:
“The Indian Air Force did not strike any nuclear facility in Gharana Hills or elsewhere. The mission targets were limited to conventional terrorist infrastructure and launch sites.”
Despite this, rumors persisted, fueled by conflicting data and lack of transparency from Pakistan.
IAEA Clarification: No Nuclear Radiation Leak
As speculation intensified, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stepped in to issue an official statement on May 17, 2025, through spokesperson Fredrik Dahl:
“There is no evidence of any nuclear radiation leak or nuclear incident in Pakistan. All nuclear installations under IAEA safeguards are operating normally.”
This declaration served as the first credible international dismissal of the alleged Gharana nuclear strike.
Unusual Air Traffic: The Beechcraft B350 Incident
Further fueling the rumors was the presence of a Beechcraft B350 aircraft, reportedly operated by a U.S.-based atmospheric radiation detection unit, spotted circling over Pakistan’s Punjab region. FlightRadar24 confirmed the aircraft’s presence.
Such aircraft are typically used post-nuclear incidents to:
- Detect airborne radioactive isotopes
- Track wind-borne nuclear particles
- Assess radiation spread over conflict zones
Neither the U.S. government nor the Pakistani Air Force issued any official statement about the aircraft’s mission, which only intensified suspicions.
Pakistan’s Silence and Nuclear Brinkmanship
While India and international observers sought clarity, Pakistan’s establishment remained tight-lipped.
This is consistent with Pakistan’s longstanding nuclear brinkmanship strategy, where it uses its nuclear arsenal both as a deterrent and a political tool.
Past Statements from Pakistani Leaders:
- Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif (2022): “If Pakistan’s existence is threatened, we will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons.”
- Minister Hanif Abbasi: “Our nuclear bombs are not meant for display; they are meant for India.”
According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) and SIPRI, Pakistan holds an estimated 150–170 nuclear warheads.
India’s Nuclear Doctrine: No First Use
India has consistently upheld its “No First Use” (NFU) nuclear policy since its 1998 Pokhran-II tests under PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Key tenets of India’s doctrine:
- Nuclear weapons are for deterrence only
- India will not initiate a nuclear strike
- India will retaliate massively if attacked with nuclear weapons
However, in 2019, then Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated:
“India’s commitment to No First Use depends on the circumstances.”
And in 2024, PM Narendra Modi reiterated:
“India will not hesitate to take bold steps if its security is compromised.”
Why Gharana Hills Is Suspected as a Nuclear Site
According to U.S. intelligence and global think tanks:
- Gharana Hills, near Rahim Yar Khan, is a secure, underground military complex
- It may house storage silos, warhead assembly units, and ballistic missile stockpiles
- It is a part of Pakistan’s Strategic Plans Division (SPD) network
However, the exact status of the facility remains unconfirmed and unmonitored by the IAEA, as Pakistan has not signed the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement (CSA) with full transparency.
SIPRI & Global Nuclear Snapshot (2024–2025)
According to the latest SIPRI report:
| Country | Nuclear Warheads (Est.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Russia | 4470 | Highest stockpile |
| USA | 3708 | Advanced triad-based arsenal |
| China | 410 | Rapidly modernizing |
| France | 290 | Ocean-based deterrence |
| UK | 225 | Submarine-focused arsenal |
| Pakistan | 150–170 | No IAEA oversight |
| India | 130–160 | Strong second-strike capability |
| Israel | 90 | Unacknowledged officially |
| North Korea | 20–30 (est.) | Unpredictable command chain |
India reportedly has:
- Enough weapons-grade plutonium (around 680 kg) to build 130–210 warheads
- Reliable missile delivery systems: Agni-series, BrahMos, Prithvi, and air/sea-based platforms
India’s Strategic Advantage
While Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal may be numerically higher, India possesses:
- Superior delivery platforms (Su-30 MKI, Rafale, nuclear submarines)
- A robust missile defense system
- Credible second-strike capability (INS Arihant-class submarines)
More importantly, India is viewed internationally as a responsible nuclear power, unlike Pakistan, which has faced proliferation scandals (e.g., A.Q. Khan network) and internal military instability.
India’s Call for International Oversight
Post Operation Sindhu, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged:
“Pakistan’s nuclear facilities must come under the IAEA’s direct supervision, as they are in the hands of an unpredictable regime.”
This reflects growing global concern about:
- Possible nuclear sabotage by non-state actors
- Loose command and control in Pakistan’s military-intelligence network
- Increased nuclear rhetoric by Pakistani leaders
Conclusion: Truth vs. Rumors
In the fog of war, information warfare often takes center stage. The rumors of a nuclear strike in Gharana Hills exemplify how satellite imagery, unverified seismic data, and strategic disinformation can spiral into full-fledged geopolitical narratives.
What we know for sure:
- Operation Sindhu was a retaliatory conventional military operation
- Pakistan experienced seismic activity post-strike
- No nuclear radiation leak has been confirmed by any credible international body
- IAEA issued a clear denial of nuclear incidents in Pakistan
- Both India and Pakistan continue to engage in nuclear posturing, raising global concerns
As of now, the “Gharana strike” remains in the realm of rumor, not confirmed reality. However, the episode has exposed Pakistan’s vulnerability and raised the case for stronger international scrutiny over its nuclear assets.
