One gram of Plutonium: Why even whispers of nuclear leak at Pakistan's Kirana Hills are terrifying millions

Rumours of a nuclear leak in Pakistan have triggered widespread alarm across South Asia and beyond. Speculation escalated soon after India and Pakistan’s military confrontation, reportedly under Operation Sindoor. At the centre of the storm was Kirana Hills, a highly fortified area in Pakistan believed to hold underground nuclear stockpiles.

Fuelled by chatter on social media, reports hinted at an Indian strike on the site, followed by sightings of a U.S. nuclear emergency aircraft flying near the area. This, combined with news of an Egyptian military plane zigzagging in Pakistani airspace, fanned fears of radioactive fallout.

Yet, no evidence has supported the claim of a nuclear incident.

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IAEA rejects nuclear leak claims
The International Atomic Energy Agency moved quickly to shut down the speculation. In an email response to The Times of India, Fredrik Dahl from the IAEA’s press department stated, “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.”

This statement came amid theories from foreign media outlets suggesting that a strike during Operation Sindoor had compromised Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure.

Indian officials also denied the allegations. Air Marshal A K Bharti, director general of air operations for the Indian Air Force, addressed the media saying, “Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hills houses nuclear installations. We didn’t know about it. We have not hit Kirana Hills and whatever is there.”

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Official stand from India’s External Affairs Ministry
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reinforced the denial, describing the action as within conventional military limits. During a press briefing, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified, “Our military action was entirely within the conventional domain. Some reports were suggesting that Pakistan’s National Command Authority would convene a meeting, but those were later denied. In fact, Pakistan’s govt representatives have officially denied this on record.”

Despite these reassurances, unverified reports continued to gain traction. Flight tracking tools showed a U.S. Department of Energy aircraft—usually deployed in nuclear emergencies like Fukushima—operating near Pakistan. Additionally, speculation that an Egyptian military plane landed carrying boron, a chemical used to limit radioactive emissions, added more confusion. Former officials, however, dismissed these claims as baseless.

Kirana Hills: Strategic nerve centre of Pakistan’s nuclear defence
Kirana Hills, located roughly 75 kilometres from Pakistan’s Khushab nuclear complex, is widely believed to house over ten underground nuclear tunnels. Its proximity to heavy water reactors used for producing weapons-grade plutonium places it at the core of Pakistan’s nuclear strategy.

This site is seen by defence analysts as a crucial part of Pakistan’s second-strike capability. Its location and surrounding military infrastructure make it a high-value target in any potential conflict scenario between the two countries.

Why fears were so intense
The panic around a possible nuclear leak wasn’t without reason. The world is already grappling with the long-term environmental fallout of historical nuclear testing.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “The microscopic particles from atmospheric nuclear weapons testing are dispersed widely in the environment. As a result, virtually everyone comes into contact with extremely small amounts of plutonium.”

Plutonium-239, used in nuclear warheads, remains dangerous for over 24,000 years. Just one gram released into the air could impact millions, says the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility.

Other radioactive elements—iodine-131, caesium-137, strontium-90, and uranium-235—are equally worrying. Iodine-131 can trigger thyroid cancer. Caesium-137 affects muscle tissue. Strontium-90 targets bones and teeth, while uranium-235 may damage the lungs, liver, or bones.

These risks explain why even a rumour of a nuclear leak, especially in a conflict zone, can send shockwaves across borders.

Though the dust seems to have settled for now, the episode reveals how close South Asia sits to a potential nuclear scare. The geography, politics, and arsenals of the region make any misinformation—however brief—capable of rattling millions.

While international and domestic authorities have ruled out any radiation leak in Pakistan, the Kirana Hills incident will likely remain a reference point in future defence calculations. The world, it seems, will keep watching closely.

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