Pakistani hackers target Indian defence websites amid rising tensions over Pahalgam attack
PTC Web Desk: Amid rising tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam Terror Attack, Indian defence websites come under heavy cyber assault from Pakistan-based hacker groups. Amid escalating diplomatic and security tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan-based hacker groups have launched a series of cyber attacks targeting Indian defence-related websites.
According to official sources from the Indian Army, these hackers attempted to compromise sensitive data, particularly login credentials and internal information of defence personnel. The Indian Army has revealed that a group operating under the alias ‘Pakistan Cyber Force’ on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) allegedly accessed confidential data from both the Military Engineer Services (MES) and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
In a separate incident, the official website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL)—a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence—was targeted in an attempted defacement attack. The attackers reportedly replaced content on the website with the Pakistani flag and AI-generated elements, prompting immediate action. As a precautionary measure, AVNL's website has been taken offline pending a full forensic audit to assess the extent of the breach and ensure its integrity.
Cybersecurity units and intelligence agencies are now on high alert, closely monitoring digital platforms for additional attacks believed to be state-sponsored or linked to Pakistan-based threat actors. The Army stated that real-time surveillance and cybersecurity enhancements are being implemented to detect, intercept, and neutralise any further attempts.
In response to the ongoing threat, defence officials have initiated a comprehensive digital security upgrade, aiming to strengthen firewalls, enhance incident response protocols, and boost the overall resilience of critical online infrastructure.
Recent cyber assaults have also targeted softer civilian and support institutions linked to the armed forces. Among these were the Army Public Schools in Jammu, which were briefly defaced with derogatory messages referencing the Pahalgam attack. The Cyber Group HOAX1337 and National Cyber Crew, both believed to be operating from Pakistan, were implicated in this defacement attempt.
Other websites affected include a healthcare portal for ex-servicemen, the Army Institute of Hotel Management, and portals for Indian Air Force veterans. Although some of these platforms suffered temporary defacement, prompt response by cyber defence teams helped contain and neutralise the threats effectively.
Officials also reported a previous attempt by a hacker group named ‘IOK Hacker’, which aimed to breach multiple public-facing Indian Army websites including Army Public School Srinagar, Army Public School Ranikhet, and the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) portal. Additionally, the Indian Air Force’s job placement website for veterans was targeted. These attacks were thwarted by the Indian Army’s cybersecurity framework, which includes real-time threat monitoring and advanced firewalls.
Authorities warned that these cyber intrusions are not just targeting institutional websites but also aim to disrupt platforms used by children, elderly veterans, and civilians.
- With inputs from agencies
