In a resounding affirmation of the power of open-source intelligence (OSINT) or for the layman – “Cyber Intelligence”, recent high-resolution satellite images have confirmed the accuracy of a viral thread posted by Sunny Nehra, India’s top ethical hacker and cybersecurity researcher. His investigative thread on X (formerly Twitter) about the Kirana Hills blast has not only taken social media by storm but is now being hailed as the most impactful geolocation-based OSINT work ever.
What began as a viral X thread has now become a landmark case in modern digital investigation. Sunny Nehra’s accurate identification and analysis of the Kirana Hills blast site just from the very limited visuals, now backed by the latest satellite imagery, is more than a personal triumph. It’s a validation of Cyber Intelligence, the power of OSINT, and the role independent experts can play in global affairs.
The Kirana Hills Controversy: A Quick Background
Kirana Hills, located in Pakistan’s Punjab province near the Sargodha military complex, has long been associated with secret military activities. It was reportedly the site of Pakistan’s covert nuclear tests in the 1980s. However, in recent times, the area gained renewed attention due to viral visuals of a hill blast that sparked differing opinions among social media users.
When the news of the blast first broke out, official narratives were hazy and conflicting. Pakistani social media largely downplayed the incident, claiming the blast visuals didn’t belong to Kirana Hills, with some labeling it an old video, while international media lacked concrete evidence to report definitively. On the other hand, many social media handlers and media houses claimed the nuclear storage of Pakistan had been targeted in the blast, citing claims of nuclear radiation leaks from Kirana Hills. Amid this fog of confusion, it was Sunny Nehra’s viral OSINT thread that broke the internet, and blew the case wide open.
Sunny Nehra’s Viral X Thread
Amid this uncertainty, Sunny Nehra entered the fray with a detailed OSINT analysis posted on X on May 11, 2025. Using publicly available videos and some OSINT techniques, Nehra pinpointed the coordinates of the alleged strike on Kirana Hills. His thread, which garnered significant attention, analyzed two videos circulating on social media that showed smoke rising from the hills. Nehra’s meticulous approach involved cross-referencing the footage with Google Earth imagery, identifying several landmarks and objects, checking carefully the angle between the objects, mapping down distance of objects on Google Maps with the pictures collected from visuals, correlating terrain features to confirm the location, and more. Let’s not forget that Nehra is well-known for his exceptional mathematics skills. Nehra’s analysis concluded that the blast occurred on an “empty side” of Kirana Hills, away from the nuclear tunnel entrances, suggesting it was likely a warning strike rather than an attempt to damage critical nuclear infrastructure. He noted, “Kirana Hills is huge. Anyways if you are good at OSINT any of these 2 videos is sufficient to find quite much approximate location of the blast.” His thread, accompanied by screenshots and geolocation data, provided a level of clarity that official statements lacked, earning praise from OSINT enthusiasts and cybersecurity experts alike.
His thread immediately garnered attention not only from common readers but also from top media houses, defense analysts, and international observers. Nehra’s Kirana Hills thread is the most viral OSINT thread ever. The global OSINT community thanked Nehra for his thread. The best part of his thread was that readers could independently verify the claims as he had mentioned location coordinates, and other necessary info.
The Indian government denied attacking Kirana Hills, but despite this, Nehra’s thread continued to gain momentum and credibility and went viral, primarily because readers could cross-verify his claims. Nehra’s thread kept the Kirana conversation alive, with many in the OSINT community lauding his ability to derive precise intelligence from limited data.
Satellite Images Confirm Nehra’s Analysis
Weeks later, Sunny Nehra’s claims were further validated by new satellite images.
New satellite imagery of Google Earth, clearly shows terrain alterations, same as what a missile blast would cause on a hill, at the exact coordinates Nehra had posted. A comparison with earlier satellite images confirms that Nehra’s geolocation finding was correct.
These findings have silenced all skeptics and further elevated the credibility of Nehra’s work. Nehra’s thread is now being documented as a case study in advanced OSINT execution. All global top OSINT experts have reached the same conclusions now as Nehra had said in the thread: the blast was on Kirana Hills, the attack wasn’t on any tunnels or nuclear structure, it was a warning strike on an empty side of the hills.
A Masterclass In Open-Source Intelligence
What sets Sunny Nehra’s work apart is not just accuracy but technique. In an age where misinformation spreads faster than facts, Nehra’s approach is rooted in:
Scientific methodology
Technological precision
Logical argumentation
Zero dependence on hearsay
His Kirana Hills thread is now being termed by many experts as a “masterclass in geospatial intelligence.” It blended multiple disciplines — topography, defense studies, satellite interpretation, mathematics for objects against visuals, and behavioral analysis — into one cohesive, verifiable narrative.
This is not the first time Sunny Nehra has used OSINT to expose sensitive truths. From identifying terror camps post-Balakot strikes to analyzing cyber warfare incidents between India and Pakistan, Nehra has consistently leveraged his skills to bring transparency and clarity in areas shrouded in ambiguity.
The Larger Implications Of Nehra’s Revelation
The validation of Nehra’s analysis through satellite images has broader implications:
1. Trust in OSINT Grows: His work has shown how open-source tools can rival traditional intelligence-gathering methods in impact and reliability.
2. Governments and Agencies Take Note: Reports suggest that even intelligence units have referenced his findings in internal communications.
3. Citizen Journalism Gets a New Benchmark: Nehra’s case proves that credible investigations can emerge outside conventional media or government releases.
4. Pakistan’s Narrative Under Scrutiny: The official downplaying of the incident stands exposed, leading to renewed questions about transparency in military operations.
Global Recognition For A Next-Generation OSINT Researcher
Sunny Nehra, born on 26th June 1996, is just 29 but due to his extraordinary skills is regarded as India’s top ethical hacker. Apart from his ethical hacking skills, now his OSINT skills are also getting global attention. His contributions are setting a global standard for how independent researchers can influence real-world geopolitics through accurate digital analysis.
Numerous international cybersecurity experts, ex-military strategists, and policy advisors have reached out to commend Nehra’s work. Some are even calling for a dedicated forum or platform where independent OSINT contributors like him can collaborate with official agencies to enrich the intelligence ecosystem.
Conclusion: A Thread That Changed the Game In a world where secrets are buried deep and narratives are often twisted, Nehra’s work stands as a beacon of what can be achieved with skill, persistence, and the right tools. As OSINT continues to shape modern conflict reporting, Sunny Nehra’s Kirana Hills thread will be remembered as a defining moment when a single cyber expert, armed with intellect and data, outmaneuvered mainstream media narratives and unveiled the truth.
