The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed on May 14, 2025, that no radiation leaks or releases occurred from Pakistan’s nuclear facilities during the recent Marka-e-Haq conflict with India, addressing social media claims of Indian strikes on nuclear sites during Operation Sindoor.
As reported by PTI, the statement, supported by denials from India’s Air Marshal A K Bharti and the External Affairs Ministry, refutes speculation about attacks on Kirana Hills, underscoring the absence of nuclear escalation in conventional military engagement.
The IAEA, responding to viral X posts claiming Indian strikes on Pakistan’s nuclear installations, stated, “Based on information available, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,” per The Express Tribune.
During a May 12 briefing, Indian Air Marshal Bharti explicitly denied targeting Kirana Hills, a site rumoured to store nuclear weapons. He clarified that India’s strikes were focused on the Sargodha airbase, as reported by The Hindu.
The Marka-e-Haq conflict, spanning May 7–10, 2025, India’s Operation Sindoor targeted alleged militant sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, prompting Pakistan’s Operation Bunyaan al Marsoos, which hit 26 Indian military targets.
Social media speculated that India targeted Kirana Hills, which is associated with a Sargodha airbase. However, according to Reuters, India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed claims of a nuclear war, emphasising that the operations were conventional.
IAEA Official Denials
Jaiswal also dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of averting a nuclear conflict, stating India’s actions remained conventional. Bharti’s clarification on Sargodha, not Kirana Hills, aligned with the IAEA’s assessment, countering misinformation, as noted by Al Jazeera. The U.S.-brokered ceasefire on May 10 stabilised tensions, with Pakistani users praising the IAEA’s neutrality and Indian users speculating on strategic restraint, requiring verified data to resolve.
According to The News International, the IAEA’s statement alleviates concerns about nuclear escalation and reinforces Pakistan’s nuclear safety protocols in a volatile South Asian context. This incident may lead to strengthened dialogues on nuclear security, particularly following the ceasefire.
