Key Points
- Hackers launched a major cyber attack on the Jammu Municipal Corporation website, stealing critical databases containing sensitive citizen information such as Aadhaar numbers, property records, and tax details.
- Intelligence sources link the attack to Pakistan-backed cyber groups aiming to destabilize Indian administrative systems, especially in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
- The breach follows a series of recent, mostly foiled, hacking attempts targeting Indian government, military, and educational websites by Pakistan-based groups.
- Restoration efforts are underway, with cybersecurity agencies working to recover lost data and strengthen digital defenses.
- Previous attacks included attempts to deface school and ex-servicemen’s healthcare websites, often with provocative or inflammatory messages.
New Delhi: A severe cyber attack struck the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) website on Friday, resulting in the theft of critical databases containing sensitive citizen information, according to top intelligence sources. The breach exposed a vast trove of data, including Aadhaar numbers, property records, tax details, administrative documents, and infrastructure plans, raising serious concerns about the security of public digital assets in a region already under heightened security scrutiny.
What Happened in the Attack?
Hackers infiltrated the JMC’s servers, exfiltrating all stored certificates and databases. The compromised data is believed to include personal details of thousands of residents, potentially exposing them to identity theft, fraud, and other cybercrimes. Restoration efforts are ongoing as agencies work to recover lost data and restore essential municipal services.
Pakistan-Backed Cyber Operations Suspected
Intelligence agencies have linked the attack to Pakistan-backed hacker groups, citing a pattern of cyber operations intended to destabilize Indian administrative infrastructure, particularly in sensitive zones like Jammu and Kashmir. These operations are often timed to coincide with periods of heightened tension, such as after major terror incidents or cross-border skirmishes.
“Such attacks align with patterns of Pakistan-backed cyber operations aimed at destabilising Indian administrative infrastructure. This is deliberately done, particularly in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir,” intelligence sources said.
A Surge in Recent Hacking Attempts
This attack comes on the heels of several recent, mostly unsuccessful, cyber intrusions targeting Indian government and military websites. Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups like ‘Cyber Group HOAX1337’, ‘National Cyber Crew’, and ‘IOK Hacker’ have repeatedly tried to breach Indian digital infrastructure. Their tactics include website defacement, data theft, and spreading inflammatory propaganda, often targeting schools, ex-servicemen’s welfare portals, and other public-facing sites.
Earlier this week, hackers attempted to deface the websites of Army Public School Nagrota and Sunjuwan with provocative messages, and a healthcare website for ex-servicemen was also targeted. Thanks to robust cybersecurity measures, most of these attempts were quickly detected and neutralized, preventing further damage.
Ongoing Response and Security Measures
Cybersecurity agencies are actively working to restore the JMC website and recover lost data[1]. The incident has prompted renewed calls for strengthening digital defenses and enhancing real-time monitoring of government networks, especially in regions vulnerable to cross-border cyber threats.
The cyber attack on the Jammu Municipal Corporation marks a significant escalation in Pakistan-linked attempts to disrupt Indian administrative systems. With sensitive citizen data now in the hands of hackers, authorities are racing to contain the fallout, restore services, and bolster cyber defenses to prevent future breaches.
