Blown Cover: Pakistan’s Nuclear Mirage Exposed

The recent Indo-Pak conflict and India’s precision strikes during Operation Sindoor have peeled back the layers of Pakistan’s nuclear bravado, revealing a troubling reality. Far from being the invincible deterrent Islamabad often projects, its nuclear arsenal appears vulnerable, raising global concerns about safety rather than strength. The episode has not only exposed Pakistan’s hollow posturing but also reinforced India’s strategic superiority in the region.

Top air warfare historian Tom Cooper’s assessment underscores this stark truth—Pakistan failed to protect its own nuclear assets during the conflict, while India demonstrated precision and resolve. The very sites Islamabad claimed were secure turned out to be within India’s striking range, puncturing its carefully cultivated image of nuclear deterrence. Worse, the world is now questioning whether Pakistan can even ensure basic nuclear and radiation safety, let alone manage a credible arsenal.

India’s nuclear journey began with a vision of self-reliance, culminating in the peaceful  ‘Smiling Buddha’ test. Pakistan, meanwhile, pursued nuclear weapons aggressively, driven by insecurity and aided by clandestine proliferation networks. While India maintained a doctrine of ‘No First Use,’ Pakistan weaponised ambiguity, leveraging nukes as a shield for asymmetric warfare. The 1998 tests formalised their nuclear status, but India’s responsible stewardship contrasted sharply with Pakistan’s reckless brinkmanship, exemplified by figures like A.Q. Khan. Today, India’s mature triad capability stands in stark relief against Pakistan’s crumbling credibility.

Pakistan’s reaction to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks on nuclear accountability further highlights its defensive posture. Instead of addressing legitimate concerns, Islamabad resorted to deflection, invoking the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in a desperate attempt to appear compliant. But the IAEA’s role is irrelevant to the core issue—Pakistan’s repeated failures in securing its weapons and maintaining transparency. The global community isn’t just worried about Pakistan’s nuclear threats anymore; it’s alarmed by the possibility of negligence leading to catastrophic consequences.

Every crisis Pakistan faces—be it economic collapse, political instability, or military misadventures—exposes its systemic weaknesses. The nuclear bluff is no exception. For years, Islamabad has used its nuclear status as a shield, blackmailing the world into treating it with caution. But Operation Sindoor has shattered that illusion. India’s surgical strikes proved that Pakistan’s nuclear umbrella is full of holes, and its rhetoric doesn’t match reality.

The world must now shift its focus from indulging Pakistan’s nuclear theatrics to demanding stricter safeguards. A nation that can’t protect its own weapons is a liability, not a deterrent. India, on the other hand, has shown restraint, capability, and responsibility—qualities that define a true nuclear power. The message is clear: Pakistan’s nuclear posturing is a mirage, and the world can no longer afford to ignore the risks it poses.