India's Response to 'Nuclear Leakage' in Pakistan After Operation Sindoor

Following the highly sensitive Operation Sindoor, which involved precision air strikes by India across multiple airbases in Pakistan, speculation erupted online about a possible nuclear incident within Pakistani territory. In response, India issued a strong and clear denial, asserting that its military actions were strictly conventional and not connected to any nuclear escalation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed the rumors on Tuesday, stating that the speculation was unfounded and even contradicted by Pakistan’s own leadership.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal clarified in a press briefing that India’s actions during Operation Sindoor were fully within the traditional boundaries of warfare. He emphasized, “The military action from our side was entirely in the conventional domain.” Jaiswal also pointed out that the Pakistani Foreign Minister himself had publicly denied any nuclear aspect to the events. His comments came just days after India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement, bringing an end to a sudden and intense phase of hostilities.

According to official Indian sources, nearly 20% of Pakistan’s air force assets were destroyed in the strikes carried out between the night of May 9 and the morning of May 10. The Indian Air Force targeted 11 key airbases, delivering significant damage to military infrastructure. Over 50 personnel were reported killed, including senior officers such as Squadron Leader Usman Yusuf, who died in the strike on the Bholari Airbase. This marked an unprecedented military move by India against a nuclear-armed adversary, and was strategically notable for its precision and swiftness.

The MEA also directly challenged Pakistan’s early claims of victory, labeling them as part of a recurring pattern. Jaiswal stated that this was consistent with Pakistan’s historical behavior in past conflicts, notably the wars in 1965, 1971, and the Kargil conflict of 1999. He remarked, “Claiming victory is an old habit. They suffer defeat, yet they keep beating the drum.” The suggestion was that Pakistan’s narrative of success is routinely presented in the face of obvious strategic setbacks.

Jaiswal explained that the understanding for a ceasefire came only after Pakistan's military initiatives failed and India delivered a powerful counter-offensive on the morning of May 10. He said that until the night of May 9, Pakistan was openly threatening India with a large-scale assault. However, after India’s response incapacitated multiple airbases, Pakistan’s tone and stance shifted dramatically.

Throughout the conflict, India maintained a consistent public stance that its operations were in direct retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which killed 26 Indian citizens. The Indian government stated that Operation Sindoor was designed specifically to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and not targeted at the civilian population or intended to escalate into a nuclear standoff.

In summary, India strongly rejected all nuclear-related rumors regarding its military actions in Pakistan, maintaining that Operation Sindoor was a conventional response to terrorism. The MEA's statements served to reinforce India’s commitment to responsible military conduct while exposing Pakistan’s continued attempts at misrepresentation following military setbacks.