In a bold move under Operation Sindoor, India targeted Pakistan’s Sargodha Airbase—just 22 km from nuclear storage site Kirana Hills—disabling key infrastructure and exposing covert nuclear facilities like Kahuta, Khushab, and Nilore.
In a dramatic escalation, an attack was reported on Pakistan’s strategically vital Sargodha Airbase. Following this, unusual radioactive activity was detected near the nearby Kirana Hills. This prompted the arrival of a plane from Egypt loaded with boron-10, a substance abundant in the Nile Valley, known for its ability to absorb radioactive materials. The United States immediately dispatched a nuclear emergency response team to Pakistan. The events have sparked widespread speculation—what exactly happened?
To understand the incident, a historical backdrop is crucial. After the 1971 war and the loss of East Pakistan, Islamabad realized that it couldn’t match India in a conventional military confrontation. Following India’s 1974 nuclear test, Pakistan embarked on a covert nuclear weapons program. Starting in 1975, Pakistan discreetly began acquiring nuclear materials. However, with U.S. and allied satellites monitoring from above, Pakistan had to test its nuclear assets in complete secrecy.
To achieve this, Pakistan’s Corps of Engineers, through a covert unit called the Special Works Division, started building secret underground tunnels and caves in the Kirana Hills near Sargodha. Between 1983 and 1990, Pakistan conducted 24 sub-critical nuclear tests there—these do not trigger a nuclear chain reaction but simulate conditions to gather data on material behavior, shockwaves, and implosion mechanics without drawing satellite attention.
These tests, codenamed Kirana-I, helped Pakistan understand how uranium and plutonium would behave under various conditions. This knowledge enabled them to refine their designs for short-range nuclear warheads.
Over the years, Pakistan built several key nuclear facilities:
- Kahuta Research Laboratories: For uranium enrichment
- Khushab Nuclear Complex: For plutonium production
- Chashma Reprocessing Facility: For spent fuel reprocessing
- Nilore Facility near Islamabad: For research and development
These facilities allowed Pakistan to develop both nuclear warheads and their delivery systems. Importantly, Pakistan adopted a “de-mated” policy—keeping warheads and delivery systems separately stored to prevent sabotage. These components could be quickly assembled when needed.
Kirana Hills eventually became the primary storage site for these nuclear components. To protect this region, Pakistan installed China’s HQ-9 air defense system (equivalent to the S-300), electronic warfare radars, and anti-aircraft batteries. This heavily fortified area lies just 22 km from the Sargodha Airbase.
Sargodha was strategically chosen for its proximity to Kirana, allowing for rapid deployment of troops and extended air defense coverage. The airbase hosts Pakistan’s Central Air Command and houses F-16s, JF-7s, Mirage-III, and Mirage-V aircrafts—all capable of carrying nuclear payloads. It also contains the Strategic Plans Division (in charge of nuclear security and transportation) and the Special Response Force—an elite unit safeguarding nuclear assets.
Despite fortified runways and blast-proof hangars, the recent Indian airstrike—part of Operation Sindoor—specifically targeted the Sargodha Airbase. India successfully damaged the runway and sent a direct message: Pakistan’s most protected nuclear zone is now within striking range.
Though India didn’t directly strike Kirana Hills, the proximity of the strike serves as a stark warning. India has demonstrated the capability to expose and potentially neutralize Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure. The strike on Sargodha indirectly exposed not just Kirana but also other key facilities—Kahuta, Khushab, Chashma, Nilore, and the new tactical warhead laboratories.
This strategic strike signals a shift: If Pakistan continues using its nuclear shield as cover for cross-border terrorism or provocations, its most prized assets could be next. The Indian response wasn’t just a tactical operation—it was a geopolitical message.
The implication is clear: India’s focus isn’t just retaliation—it’s deterrence through strategic dominance.
