Key Points
- Multiple Indian defence and military-linked websites were targeted by Pakistan-based hacker groups in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Hackers claimed to have breached sensitive databases, including personnel information and login credentials, prompting authorities to take several sites offline for security audits.
- The attacks are part of a broader escalation in hybrid warfare, with defacements, phishing, and data theft attempts observed across military and civilian domains.
- Indian cybersecurity agencies have neutralized several hacking attempts and are actively monitoring for further threats.
- The cyber offensive is seen as a coordinated campaign to destabilize India’s digital infrastructure and escalate tensions following the terror attack.
New Delhi: Amid heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani hacker groups have launched a coordinated cyber offensive against multiple Indian military and defence-related websites, raising concerns about the security of sensitive national data and the evolving nature of hybrid warfare between the two countries.
Wave of Cyberattacks Hits Indian Defence Institutions
According to officials in the Indian defence establishment, several military websites-including the Indian Military Engineering Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses-were reportedly breached by a group calling itself the “Pakistan Cyber Force”. The hackers claimed to have accessed classified personnel data, including login credentials of defence staff. While the full extent of the breach is still under investigation, initial findings suggest that sensitive information may have been compromised.
In addition to data theft, the attackers attempted to deface the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, a key PSU under the Ministry of Defence. The site was taken offline after it was found displaying the Pakistan flag and images of the Al Khalid tank, a move described by officials as a deliberate attempt to provoke and demoralize.
Wider Cyber Offensive: Schools, Veteran Services Also Targeted
The cyber onslaught was not limited to top-level defence institutions. Hacker collectives such as ‘Cyber Group HOAX1337’ and ‘National Cyber Crew’ targeted websites linked to Army Public Schools in Jammu, the Army Institute of Hotel Management, and portals providing healthcare to ex-servicemen. These attacks included defacement with messages mocking the victims of the Pahalgam incident, further escalating digital hostilities.
Indian cybersecurity agencies responded swiftly, neutralizing several hacking attempts and taking affected sites offline for forensic audits and damage assessment. The Maharashtra Cyber Department reported a surge of over one million cyberattacks on Indian systems since the April 22 Pahalgam attack, with many attempts traced back to Pakistan and other countries in the region.
Hybrid Warfare: Cyberattacks as a Strategic Tool
Analysts and security experts view this wave of cyber offensives as an extension of Pakistan’s long-standing hybrid warfare strategy, which combines terrorism, information operations, and digital attacks to destabilize India. The current campaign is seen as a deliberate effort to exploit the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, aiming to undermine public trust and test India’s cyber resilience.
The attacks have also included sophisticated phishing campaigns, such as malicious PDF files disguised as official updates on the Pahalgam incident, designed to compromise government networks and gather intelligence.
India’s Response and Ongoing Vigilance
In response, Indian authorities have bolstered digital defences, initiated comprehensive security audits, and increased monitoring of cyberspace for further threats. Cybersecurity agencies are working round the clock to identify vulnerabilities, patch systems, and mitigate risks posed by state-sponsored and ideologically motivated hacker groups.
Officials emphasize that while some breaches and defacements have occurred, the majority of attempted intrusions have been detected and neutralized before causing significant harm. The government continues to urge vigilance across all critical sectors as the digital battlefront becomes an increasingly important theatre in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
As the fallout from the Pahalgam terror attack continues to reverberate, the latest wave of cyberattacks underscores the growing threat posed by cross-border digital warfare and the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect India’s defence infrastructure.
