Viral Letter Claiming Nuclear Radiation At Brahmos Missile Facility In Punjab’s Beas Is Fake

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, a classified letter, warning about purported radiation leak in Punjab, is circulating widely on social media. The letter, allegedly issued by India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), claims that a series of radioactive emissions started occurring at the BrahMos missile facility in Beas, Punjab, reportedly originating from nuclear-capable missile warheads stored at the site. According to the document, unnamed sources have claimed that the leak may have been triggered by a Pakistani attack on the facility on May 10. In addition to warning residents in and around Beas of potential radioactive exposure, the letter also sharply criticises the Indian government’s handling of the situation.

Posting the letter on X, a user @Shadowfox_11 wrote, “Monitoring: BREAKING – LEAKED INFO FROM INSIDE INDIA’S ATOMIC ENERGY DEPT Sources confirm that during Pakistan’s precision strike on BrahMos depot in Beas, nuclear-capable warheads meant for active deployment were dangerously exploded.”

Many such posts can be seen here and here.

Fact Check/ Verification

A quick analysis of the language of the document raises doubts. The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is a government agency, and it is not possible for such a body to publicly criticise the central government.

The letter also mentions Beas as a district in Punjab. But in fact, Beas is a city located in the Amritsar district of Punjab. Such a mistake in a government letter further raises our suspicion on the veracity of the letter.

A review of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s (AERB) official website, including its “Latest News” and press release sections, shows no record of any radiation hazard, emergency alert, or public safety advisory related to Beas on or after May 12, 2025.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not made any statement regarding nuclear radiation in Beas. In fact, the IAEA has explicitly dismissed rumours and speculation about radiation leaks from any nuclear facilities in either India or Pakistan, during the recent military escalation.

According to news published on the websites of the Times of India and India Today on May 11, 2025, Colonel Sophia Qureshi dismissed the claim of Pakistan’s attack on the Brahmos missile facility in Beas, Punjab, as false. She said, “Pakistan claimed that it damaged our S400 and Brahmos missile base with its JF 17, which is completely wrong. Secondly, it also ran a misinformation campaign that our airfields in Sirsa, Jammu, Pathankot, Bhatinda, Nalia and Bhuj were damaged, and its misinformation is also completely wrong.”

For further investigation, Newschecker reached out to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). In response, the AERB clarified via email that the viral document is fake and did not originate from the agency.

Thus, it is clear that the letter that has gone viral claiming nuclear radiation at the Brahmos missile facility in Beas, Punjab, and claiming to be from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is fake.

Sources
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s (AERB) official website
Report by Times of India, dated May 11, 2025
Report by India Today, dated May 11, 2025
Confirmation from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)

With Inputs: Shaminder Singh, Newschecker, Punjab