Pakistani Hackers Claim Breach of Indian Defence Sites Amid Rising Tensions

A Pakistani hacker group calling itself the 'Pakistan Cyber Force' claims to have accessed sensitive information after the Indians had been associated in some capacity with raising national security. The group stated that they had breached the Indian Military Engineering Services, the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), and the various arms of the Government of India thereabouts. The infiltration came on the heels of the rising tensions brought on by the terror attack in Pahalgam.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Indian authorities have not yet officially confirmed the extent of the breach, some officials well-versed in the matter disclosed that they have come across these claims. Those officials said that the claims indicated that the attackers might have been able to access personal information relating to some defence persons, including possibly their login credentials.

Also Read: India Halts Water Flow to Pakistan from Chenab River Dam Amid Escalating Tensions

The senior management of Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses categorically denied that its website was hacked, ANI quoted an agency source.

According to a post shared by the group on its X handle, the hackers say they accessed classified personnel data including login credentials pertaining to Indian defence personnel. Cybersecurity agencies have entered into an immediate mode of investigation.

Aside from this alleged breach, it has been reported that the group also carried out attempts to deface the official website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, a PSU company under the MoD. The website has been defaced with the Pakistan flag and the Al Khalid tank, the officials said.

Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited's website is temporarily taken offline for the purposes of a thorough and deliberate audit to ascertain the possible impact of the defacement attempt on the site, if any, and to ensure the site's integrity.

Cybersecurity experts and agencies are also watching all corners of cyberspace for additional cyberattacks, especially those that may be sponsored by threat actors associated with Pakistan.

Also Read: Javed Miandad Slams Sunil Gavaskar’s Asia Cup Boycott Call as ‘Stupid’

Pahalgam attack

This alleged cyberattack comes on the heels of rising tension between India and Pakistan post-Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives.

Following the terror attack, a series of punitive measures were taken by India, including the suspension of the 1960 Indus Water Treaty that governs water sharing between the two countries.

Second cyberattack since Pahalgam

Monday's second alleged attack by Pakistan-sponsored hackers followed last week's attempt by Pak hackers, trying their formation without success, on Indian websites associated with digital platforms for children, war veterans, and welfare services.

The groups, "Cyber Group HOAX1337" and "National Cyber Crew," approached defacing, with derogatory content against the victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed, the websites of Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and Sunjuwan.

Also Read: India Imposes Total Import Ban on Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack Amid Escalating Tensions