Global nuclear watchdog rejects Indian reports of radiation leak in Pakistan

Global nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has ruled out Indian reports and speculations of radiation leaks from any nuclear facility in Pakistan following the country's escalated military engagement with India.

“We are aware of the reports you are referring to. Based on information available to the IAEA, there has been no radiation leak or release from any nuclear facility in Pakistan,” an Indian outlet quoted an IAEA spokesperson as saying on Thursday (today) in response to a query on whether any nuclear incident or spill has been brought to the notice of the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre.

The IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre, which was established in 2005, is the focal point for the coordination of international assistance in emergency preparedness and response to radiation incidents and emergencies regardless of their cause or severity.

Speculations in India had skyrocketed that Pakistan had come under nuclear radiation following an alleged Indian Air Force strike in Kirana Hills in Pakistan last week.

A fake notification also popped up on Indian social media, saying the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in Pakistan claimed that radiation leaked on Sunday during the transfer of a sophisticated mechanism in the northern region of Pakistan.

In a joint press briefing on Monday, after being asked whether the IAF had targeted any nuclear facility in Pakistan, Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, said, “We have not hit Kirana Hills. I did not brief in my briefing yesterday.”

It merits a mention that an agreement was made between India and Pakistan in December 1998 on the prohibition of attacks against nuclear installations and facilities.

According to the agreement, the term “nuclear installation or facility” includes nuclear power and research reactors, fuel fabrication, uranium enrichment, isotope separation, and reprocessing facilities, as well as any other installations with fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel and materials in any form and establishments storing significant quantities of radioactive materials.

Section two of the agreement read, “Each Contracting Party shall inform the other on 1st January of each calendar year of the latitude and longitude of its nuclear installations and facilities and whenever there is any change.”

Under the Agreement, on January 1, 2025, India and Pakistan had reportedly exchanged, through diplomatic channels, the list of “nuclear installations and facilities” covered between the two countries.