Dissemination of fake news and propaganda is a key strategy of India to tarnish Pakistan’s international reputation. India has long been engaged in disinformation campaigns to undermine Pakistan’s security narrative, particularly in the realm of nuclear safety. The recent Lakki Marwat incident serves another example of India’s propaganda machinery, which seeks to manipulate facts and distort reality. By falsely associating Pakistan’s laborers with possessing nuclear material and questioning the safety of its nuclear facilities, India is not only fueling baseless allegations but also diverting attention from its own alarming nuclear security breaches.
Recently, the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) abducted laborers and watchmen alleged to be employees of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). Since then, India has been spreading false narratives questioning the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear facilities, conveniently ignoring its own lapses. India’s nuclear safety record is marred by numerous incidents of theft and security breaches, many of which remain unreported, highlighting its weak and fragile safety and security standards.
A deeper analysis of the recent incident reveals critical flaws in India’s narrative. The mere presence of raw uranium at these sites does not equate to an imminent nuclear threat, as raw uranium in its natural state is not weapons-grade material. Just like coal or any other raw material site, it was a uranium mine from where the laborers were abducted.
Converting raw uranium into enriched uranium suitable for nuclear applications is an intricate and highly sophisticated process that necessitates advanced technological infrastructure, specialized expertise, and stringent regulatory oversight – none accessible to ordinary laborers or others. Moreover, Pakistan’s nuclear program is under robust security protocols that adhere to international safety standards, as acknowledged by credible international organizations like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Therefore, India’s claims are nothing but a deliberate attempt to mislead the global community and perpetuate negative perceptions about Pakistan’s nuclear security.
Enriched uranium is not an ordinary commodity that can be easily obtained or handled; it requires specialized infrastructure, including secure storage facilities, transportation protocols, and personnel with advanced technical knowledge. The production and handling of uranium, especially in enriched form, necessitate highly sophisticated technology, such as gas centrifuges or laser enrichment processes, which are tightly monitored by international bodies like the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Moreover, enriched uranium emits radiation, making it easily detectable by radiation detectors deployed at ports, and security checkpoints. Even minimal amounts of uranium can be traced through advanced monitoring systems, making illicit transportation highly unlikely without immediate detection. Additionally, the chemical and radiological hazards associated with enriched uranium make it virtually impossible for untrained individuals to carry it without suffering severe health consequences, such as radiation sickness or contamination. The material is highly toxic and requires specialized containment and handling procedures to prevent environmental and biological exposure.
Furthermore, the criticality of risks associated with enriched uranium handling further debunk the veracity of such claims. Improper storage or accumulation of sufficient quantities can trigger a chain reaction, posing catastrophic consequences. Given these technical, logistical, and health-related challenges, the allegation that laborers possessed nuclear material appears far-fetched and lacks credibility. The EU DisinfoLab in its report, Indian Chronicles: delve deep into a 15-year operation which was designed primarily to “discredit Pakistan internationally” and influence decision-making at the international fora. Moreover, this is not the only case of India spreading fake news about Pakistan. One renowned Indian news channels, NDTV and Times Now, have faced criticism for their coverage of events with allegations of broadcasting unverified information and promoting hyper-nationalist narratives. For instance, NDTV made false claims about Balakot Casualties. In January 2021, they aired a doctored video suggesting that former Pakistani diplomat Zafar Hilaly admitted to 300 casualties from the Balakot airstrike. Fact-checkers exposed the video as manipulated, leading to retractions from several news outlets.
In comparison with Pakistan, between 2000 and 2024, multiple incidents of nuclear material theft and illicit sales have been reported in India. According to a timeline issued by the South Asia Strategic Stability Institute (SASSI), there were multiple reported incidents involving the theft or loss of over 200 kilograms of nuclear material in India. Notable incidents include as given in the report of 2008, that says Police arrested five individuals in Meghalaya for smuggling uranium ore. One year later Arms Control Association reported that the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested three people for illegal possession of 5 kg of depleted uranium. The cases of nuclear theft do not stop here. In 2021 authorities confiscated 6.4 kg of uranium in Jharkhand and 7 kg in Maharashtra. In August 2021: 250 kg of a uranium variant, a highly radioactive and toxic substance, was confiscated in Kolkata, leading to the arrest of two individuals from Indian strategic organizations. Last year in August 2024 a gang was arrested in Bihar for illegal possession of 50 grams of radioactive californium. These incidents highlight systemic vulnerabilities within India’s nuclear security architecture, which could pose significant risks for regional and global security. The recurrence of such events underscores the need for India to enhance its nuclear security measures and adhere more strictly to international non-proliferation norms.
India’s dismal nuclear materials safety record is also highlighted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative’s (NTI) nuclear security index. NTI’s assessment in 2014 India ranked 23 out of 25 countries that possess weapons-grade fissile material. India was just above Iran and North Korea in this ranking. In the 2023 NTI Secure Material Ranking, India was placed 20th with no change since 2018. In 2020 Pakistan improved its ranking by 7 points due to stringent legislation and regulations, and it improved by 3 points in 2023. Pakistan is also above India on the protection of nuclear facilities with 32 against India’s rank of 40 out of 47 countries.
Another misinformation by India was to circulate videos and ID cards of laborers, desperately trying to paint them as PAEC scientists. These cards and identities are fabricated and photoshopped. Moreover, the video circulated by TTP has not been authenticated by any credible source. In contrast, all of the Indian nuclear theft cases were reported by credible international sources.
The baseless accusations made by India regarding the Lakki Marwat incident are a clear example of a deliberate disinformation campaign aimed at undermining Pakistan’s credibility on the global stage. These claims lack any credible evidence and ignore the sophisticated processes required for nuclear operations, which are far beyond the scope of the alleged circumstances.
Ms Sana Ahmed is a Research Associate in Islamabad-based independent think tank (SVI).
