In the wake of heightened tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, India is now facing a fresh front of aggression—cyber warfare. According to emerging reports, Pakistan-based hacking groups have launched coordinated cyber attacks targeting Indian defence and security-related websites, escalating digital hostilities between the two nations.
A cyber group operating under the alias "Pakistan Cyber Force" has claimed responsibility for several recent hacking incidents. In particular, the group alleges that it has compromised sensitive data from:
Military Engineer Services (MES)
Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA)
The hacking group also claims to have gained access to 10 GB of sensitive data involving more than 1,600 users from the MP-IDSA website.
Before being taken down from social media, the Pakistan Cyber Force handle had posted manipulated screenshots of Indian defence websites. One image showed the Armored Vehicle Nigam Limited webpage with a visual that depicted an Indian tank modified to resemble a Pakistani tank.
In another post, the group released a list of Indian defence personnel, accompanied by a provocative message:
“You have been hacked. Your security is an illusion. We have MES claims.”
The posts appear to be aimed not only at causing disruption but also at spreading fear and projecting cyber dominance.
Security agencies have confirmed a surge in cyber intrusion attempts from Pakistan in recent days. While the authenticity of the hackers’ claims is still under investigation, cybersecurity teams are actively monitoring Indian cyber infrastructure to mitigate risks and prevent further breaches.
A senior cybersecurity official stated,
“While some attempts are more propaganda-driven than technically impactful, every threat is being treated seriously. We are enhancing firewall systems and conducting audits across defence-linked websites.”
The recent cyber attack claims underscore a growing threat of digital warfare alongside physical cross-border tensions. As both nations strengthen their cybersecurity protocols, the battle for digital dominance may become an increasingly significant front in the complex India-Pakistan conflict.