# Missing Nuclear Device on Nanda Devi Stirs US Suspicion and Cold War Tension

> The mysterious disappearance of a spy device on Nanda Devi sparked mutual suspicion between India and the US during a secretive Cold War mission.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Investigations · **Published:** 2026-09-06 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/investigations/missing-nuclear-device-on-nanda-devi-stirs-us-suspicion-and-cold-war-tension-28375 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Nanda Devi, Nuclear Device, Operation Hat, Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, India US Relations

Under Operation Hat, India and the US jointly developed a nuclear-powered surveillance device to monitor China. On May 1, 1966, a supply-laden bus departed from Delhi as part of this covert mission. After transferring supplies to a military truck near Rishikesh, the convoy advanced through treacherous mountain routes, reaching Joshimath by May 3 and eventually the Nanda Devi base camp.

## Arduous Climb and China's Nuclear Test
Climbing from the base camp proved grueling as team members battled biting winds, sub-zero temperatures, and altitude sickness. Amid this difficult expedition, China conducted its second nuclear test on May 14, escalating urgency among intelligence agencies. By May 15, the team arrived at the base camp, deciding that only Indian mountaineers would advance to Camp 4, where the device had been stashed the previous year.

## The Missing Surveillance Device
On June 1, heavy snowstorms battered Camp 4, where the team discovered a collapsed tent and scattered gear. The specific rock where the device had been hidden eight months prior was gone, leaving behind only debris and cut wires. The alarming discovery triggered emergency meetings involving intelligence chiefs R.N. Kao, B.N. Mullick, and American officials at the US Embassy in Delhi.

## Radioactivity Checks and Mutual Suspicion
US scientists later inspected the site and used instruments to check for radiation, warning that contamination could have reached the Ganges. Fortunately, readings were normal. However, the incident bred deep distrust, with some CIA officials suspecting that Indian teams had removed the device to bolster domestic nuclear research, though both governments maintained strict secrecy.

## Replacement Device on Nanda Devi Kot
Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and intelligence leaders agreed to proceed with a replacement mission led by Captain Kohli. On April 24, 1967, a new surveillance apparatus was successfully installed on Nanda Devi Kot. The device provided vital intelligence on Chinese ballistic missile plans and troop movements in Tibet before failing during the winter of 1968.

## Recovery of the Generator and Public Revelations
In the summer of 1968, recovery teams found the damaged generator trapped in a cave, subsequently flying it to Charbatia Airport in Odisha. The operation remained hidden for years until the American magazine Outside published an exposé on April 12, 1978, creating a massive political storm in India.

## Political Fallout and Ongoing Environmental Concerns
With Morarji Desai serving as Prime Minister, the government faced intense scrutiny in Parliament. Desai announced an expert committee to examine safety risks while avoiding direct accusations against the US. US President Jimmy Carter later sent a confidential letter praising Desai's handling of the crisis. Decades later, local residents and environmentalists continue to voice concerns over potential hazards to the Ganges river basin.

## What this means for you
This historical security incident carries long-term implications concerning environmental safety and water resources.

- **In Uttarakhand:** Communities residing near the Nanda Devi glaciers and downstream rivers remain vigilant regarding potential environmental hazards tied to legacy nuclear materials.
- **Across India:** Since the Ganges river basin serves millions of citizens, safeguarding major water lifelines from ecological risks remains a critical national priority.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. What kind of device was installed on Nanda Devi?
India and the US jointly developed a nuclear-powered surveillance device to monitor Chinese military activities.

### 2. When did the device go missing?
The device was discovered missing in June 1966 when an expedition team reached Camp 4 and found that the mounting rock had collapsed.

### 3. When was the operation publicly exposed?
The covert mission became public on April 12, 1978, after an American magazine, Outside, published a detailed report.

### 4. Was a replacement device ever installed?
Yes, a new surveillance apparatus was successfully installed on Nanda Devi Kot in 1967, which operated until the winter of 1968.

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