COVERT OPERATION · 1974
DECLASSIFIEDSMILING BUDDHA
Operation Smiling Buddha
YEAR
1974
LOCATION
Pokhran, Rajasthan
AGENCY
Research and Analysis Wing
OUTCOME
Successful. India detonated a 8-kiloton fission device, becoming the sixth country to test a nuclear weapon. The test remained secret until the detonation itself.
Operation Summary
India's first nuclear test, conducted at Pokhran, Rajasthan on 18 May 1974. R&AW's role was ensuring the operation's secrecy — shielding preparations from American U-2 reconnaissance, Pakistani intelligence, and press detection. The intelligence security operation involved the systematic management of foreign surveillance assets active in India and disinformation to conceal construction activity at the test site.
Cross-References
SMILING BUDDHAR&AW · 1974DECLASSIFIED