Mystery US emergency jet circles Pakistan's Kirana Hills post India’s covert Op Sindoor: Report

The sudden appearance of a nuclear-detection aircraft over Pakistan’s sensitive regions has triggered a storm of speculation, with satellite imagery and online theories suggesting hidden operations amid continued silence from both Indian and Pakistani authorities

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, a rare US surveillance aircraft designed for nuclear emergencies was recently spotted near Pakistani airspace, stirring intense speculation worldwide. India has firmly denied any involvement in strikes targeting Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, including the long-discussed Kirana Hills site, but the aircraft’s unexpected presence has fuelled rumours and heated debate online.

The aircraft in question, a US B-350 AMS “Nuclear Emergency Response” plane, is a specialized asset operated by the US Department of Energy. It is typically deployed only during nuclear crises, such as radiation leaks or unauthorized detonations. This plane has a history of involvement in major nuclear incidents, including monitoring after the Fukushima disaster in Japan. Its recent flight over Pakistan, tracked publicly via platforms like Flightradar24 under tail number N111SZ, has raised eyebrows and questions about its mission.

Speculated strikes deepen mystery

This development came in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor, a military campaign aimed at terror camps in Pakistan and the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir region. Numerous unconfirmed reports have circulated, claiming that Indian airstrikes targeted multiple military installations across Pakistan on May 12. Sites reportedly hit include Rafiqui Airbase in Shorkot, Noor Khan Base near Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal, as well as locations in Rahimyar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunia. Radar stations in Sialkot and Pasrur and the Malir Cantonment in Karachi were also mentioned as possible targets.

The Kirana Hills, a rugged mountain area near Sargodha, remain the most controversial focus. Analysts and defence experts have long suspected the hills house underground bunkers used to store Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. The nearby Mushaf Airbase, itself reportedly damaged during the strikes, adds weight to these claims.

Despite mounting rumours, Pakistan’s government and military have not issued any official statements or confirmations, maintaining a strategic silence. This silence has only deepened global curiosity and speculation. Some US media outlets have cited unnamed former officials who claim Pakistan may have sought assistance from the United States to safeguard its nuclear command infrastructure.

No clarity, only conspiracy theories

Confusion surrounding the US aircraft’s presence has grown, with some reports suggesting the plane might have been transferred to Pakistani control as far back as 2010. Photographs from 2015 show a similar aircraft sporting Pakistani military markings, though no official acknowledgment exists regarding its current ownership.

What remains unclear is why such a highly specialized nuclear detection plane would fly near Pakistan’s most sensitive areas if no nuclear incident or attack occurred. This unanswered question has ignited widespread online discussion, with satellite images, videos, and geopolitical analyses circulating rapidly, suggesting covert operations and strategic maneuvers hidden from public view. In this volatile backdrop, the truth remains elusive as both nations continue their game of silence and speculation.