Massive threat to Pakistan as India starts operational deployment of nuclear warheads

Pakistan’s ex-ambassador to the US, UK and UN Dr Maleeha Lodhi in a recent episode of a talk show revealed that India is actively pursuing a dangerous shift in its nuclear posture, marking a significant escalation in regional strategic threats.

Discussing the latest findings from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) with Hamid Mir, Dr Lodhi highlighted the gravity of the situation: “And that is that now, the indications and reports coming in, credible reports, are that there is an emerging strategic threat for Pakistan and that is that India has now begun to operationally deploy nuclear warheads.”

She added further clarity on the scale of the deployment: “And [there are] about 12 or so, maybe more or less, but in that number they have begun to deploy them on their submarines.”

According to the SIPRI Yearbook 2026, India has started to deploy a small number of nuclear warheads on a single ballistic missile submarine SSBN (Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear), a nuclear-powered vessel designed for carrying ballistic missiles, conducting occasional deterrence patrols.

Regarding the departure from previous nuclear doctrines, Dr Lodhi emphasized: “If India has gone towards deployment by mating them and then using the 12 nuclear warheads… then this is, I believe, a significant threat for Pakistan.”

The assessment indicates that India is moving away from its long-standing policy of keeping warheads and delivery systems in separate storage during peacetime. By potentially mating these warheads with Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missiles (SLBM) India is shifting toward a more operational sea-based deterrent, which confirms the enhanced role of maritime assets in its future conventional and nuclear operations.

The aggressive maritime posture of India aligns with the militant ideological shifts within the Indian state.

Defence analyst Major General (Retd) Zahid Mahmood on the show Capital Talk identified the drivers of Indian aggression: “Hindutva strategic thought, and this culture that has now come to India, their strategic culture is revolving around Hindutva, Mandala Theory, [and] the application of Chanakya.”