NEW DELHI – In a dramatic new twist to India’s Operation Sindoor, Lieutenant General (Retired) Vinod G. Khandare, former Principal Advisor to the Ministry of Defence, has hinted that India may have targeted a strategic nuclear facility in Pakistan—a revelation that could redefine the regional security narrative.
This explosive claim comes amid growing speculation within defence and intelligence circles following India’s retaliatory air campaign after the Pahalgam terror attack.
During a Republic TV channel high-level discussion on Operation Sindoor, Lt. Gen. Khandare pointed to comments made by Air Marshal A.K. Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, who had previously deflected inquiries about whether the Indian Air Force had struck Kirana Hills—a region believed to house sensitive Pakistani nuclear assets.
“Thank you for telling us that Kirana Hill houses some nuclear installations. We did not know about it, okay? And we have not hit Kirana Hills, whatever is there,” Air Marshal Bharti said during a press briefing.
However, Lt. Gen. Khandare’s follow-up interpretation cast a different light on the matter.
“At the international level, are you going to say you targeted it? Obviously, it got hit—and it sent waves of fear through Pakistan’s defence establishment.”
A Potential Game-Changer in India-Pakistan Conflict
When asked whether this incident marked a turning point in Indo-Pak tensions, Lt. Gen. Khandare firmly replied,
“Yes… but this wasn’t the only factor. That very night, our armed forces had already reached Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi.”
The retired general emphasized India’s strategic depth and precision, suggesting that the operation was meticulously planned to cripple high-value targets and send a powerful deterrence signal.
“If you hit very valuable targets, it means your intelligence and strike selection were on point. If they fear you enough to pick up the phone, you’ve delivered the message.”
India’s Strategic Superiority on Display
Lt. Gen. Khandare asserted that India stayed one step ahead at every stage of escalation, undermining any claims of parity from Pakistan.
“They can dial anyone they want. But we made sure that, at every level, we dictated the tempo.”
On Pakistan’s eventual backchannel outreach, he added:
“When they said ‘enough,’ we said ‘fine—if you’ve learned your lesson.’”
Nuclear Shadows and Strategic Messaging
The possible targeting—or even near miss—of Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure at Kirana Hills has alarmed regional observers and global powers alike. If confirmed, it would mark a rare moment in modern military history where a nuclear-armed state’s strategic facility came under direct threat.
Though the Indian government has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, experts suggest this form of strategic ambiguity is precisely the kind of deterrence India intends to project under its evolving proactive doctrine.
