Did India Bomb Pakistan’s Nuke Facility At Kirana Hills? Social Media Abuzz With Claims After Nuclear Emergency Aircraft Flies Over Pak

By
Sakshi Tiwari
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With the ceasefire now holding between India and Pakistan, social media is abuzz with claims that a Pakistani nuclear facility was damaged, and a US nuclear safety support aircraft– the B350 AMS–was deployed to assess the extent of radioactive activity.

Pakistan has twelve significant air bases, which are separated into three commands: the Northern, Central, and Southern.

There are also several non-flying stations and forward operating sites related to support, maintenance, logistics, and administration. The Indian strikes targeted several of these bases across the country, as revealed in the latest press briefing conducted on May 12. 

India reportedly hit Rafiqui Airbase in Shorkot, Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal, Rahimyar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, as well as radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot.

Additionally, as per new satellite images,  Malir Cantonment, located in Karachi, was also hit. This essentially means that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pounded bases in every major Pakistani city, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Sialkot, Sargodha, and Karachi.

In addition to the official account presented by India, social media is flooded with claims that the IAF strikes in Pakistan also targeted a nuclear storage facility at Kirana Hills. These claims reportedly surfaced after satellite imagery showed damage to Mushaf airbase in Sargodha, which is believed to be linked to the underground nuclear storage sites beneath the Kirana Hills.

Following this, new claims surfaced stating that a US Department of Energy-Nuclear Emergency Support aircraft (B350 AMS) landed in Pakistan, as seen in the flight tracking data published by Flightradar24. The reports of the aircraft flying over Pakistan further triggered speculations that a radioactive leak may have happened after the alleged strike.

Shortly after these claims started gathering traction on social media, several netizens and defense tracking pages in India inferred that Pakistan likely sought US intervention for a ceasefire because a nuclear site was hit, and because it dreaded further strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. Additionally, some reports in foreign media stated that Pakistan was concerned about strikes on its nuclear command.

A former US official familiar with Pakistan’s nuclear programme was quoted by The New York Times as saying. “Pakistan’s deepest fear is of its nuclear command authority being decapitated. The missile strike on Nur Khan could have been interpreted… as a warning that India could do just that.”

These claims have now been categorically shot down by India.

When probed about striking the nuclear facility, Air Marshal A K Bharti, DG Air Operations, categorically denied hitting a nuclear site, in a press briefing held on May 12. The Air Marshal sarcastically denied having any clue that Kirana Hills housed a nuclear facility.

That said, the alleged flight of the US nuclear safety aircraft remains a mystery.

Some prominent Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) bloggers said the aircraft had been turned over to the Pakistan Army Aviation in 2010. Notably, Pakistan does operate a variant of the B-350 aircraft, but there is currently no information on whether the Pakistani aircraft was mistaken for the US B-350 AMS.

Moreover, the EurAsian Times has not been independently able to verify claims that the aircraft had indeed landed in Pakistan or the purpose behind its claimed visit.

Several netizens who have been actively sharing information on social media since Operation Sindoor was launched speculate that the Indian side was just unwilling to officially admit a strike on Pakistan’s nuclear facility, as it would lead to global condemnation. In fact, at the time of writing this report, social media was riddled with memes about India’s alleged strike on Kirana Hills.

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All said and done, what exactly is the B-350 AMS aircraft that has triggered so much frenzy on social media?

The B-350 AMS Aircraft 

The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Department of Energy (DoE) operate the Beechcraft Super King Air 350, or B350, for nuclear safety.  It is mainly used in the Aerial Measuring System (AMS) program for radiation monitoring and nuclear emergency response.

The aircraft provides real-time data during nuclear or radiological incidents, with sensors that detect and measure radioactive contamination in the air and on the ground. Additionally, it can examine nuclear facilities to ensure the security and integrity of nuclear materials.

By mapping contaminants and evaluating dangers, such as possible fallout from damaged nuclear facilities, the B350 AMS assists in coordinating responses to nuclear emergencies and supports special missions like airborne surveys to evaluate the environmental implications of nuclear activities. This is why the reports of its presence in Pakistan triggered speculation that the aircraft was dispatched for a nuclear safety response.

The aircraft is outfitted for low-altitude flights and is manned by personnel and equipment specifically designed for such operations. Its role is to prevent unwanted access to nuclear materials by emphasizing nuclear non-proliferation, safety, and quick response.

In December 2019, the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) unveiled three new King Air 350ER aircraft to measure air and ground contamination following a nuclear or radiological accident or incident. 

Aerial Measuring System (AMS) | Department of Energy
B350 Aerial Measuring System (AMS) | Department of Energy

However, popular for its utility in special missions, including in war zones, the King Air B350ER can be configured for a variety of roles, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It is best known for its toughness, reliability, and adaptability to harsh conditions.

The King Air B350ER can also transport and support special operations forces, conduct maritime patrols, conduct anti-submarine warfare, and operate as an air ambulance, among other things.

This variant is used by countries like the US, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Canada. Because of its versatility and flexible design, it is a very useful asset for government and military groups working in difficult environments.

This aircraft can travel 1,878 nautical miles in total distance and is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-60A engines. The King Air 350ER’s fuel capacity is typically 3,611 pounds (1,638 kg) for standard tanks, though extended-range variants may carry additional fuel.

This means that it can travel very large distances without refuelling. The cockpit has Collins Aerospace Pro Line Fusion, which has NextGen and precise GPS capabilities, a dual primary flight display, a Multi-Scan Weather Radar Scanner, and simplified single-pilot control. 

The aircraft measures 14.22 meters in length, 4.37 meters in height, and 17.65 meters in wingspan.  Its maximum weights are 7,530 kilograms for the ramp, 7,484 kilograms for takeoff and landing, and 7,110 kilograms for zero fuel.  It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,361 kilograms.

The cabin’s adaptable, reconfigurable interior allows it to be used for passenger and freight transportation, search and rescue, and air ambulance operations.

 

 

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