In the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, Indian cyber security agencies have intensified their vigilance over the country’s digital infrastructure. With geopolitical tensions escalating between India and Pakistan, officials are on high alert for potential cyber threats believed to be orchestrated by Pakistani-linked entities.
According to sources quoted by PTI, security agencies and cyber experts are closely watching for any new cyber intrusions, particularly those potentially backed by hostile nation-state actors. The aim is to detect, neutralize, and prevent any data breaches or digital sabotage efforts that may further aggravate the situation.
This heightened alert follows a provocative claim by a social media user operating under the name “Pakistan Cyber Force” on platform X. The handle alleged it had accessed sensitive data from India’s Military Engineering Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). The group reportedly obtained 10 GB of personal data belonging to around 1,600 Indian defence personnel, including confidential login details. A screenshot shared online allegedly showed names, contact numbers, designations, and other personal identifiers.
Additionally, the same group claimed to have defaced the website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a government-owned defence PSU. They shared images purporting to show that an Indian tank image on the AVNL homepage was replaced with a Pakistani “Al Khalid” tank and the national flag of Pakistan, mocking India’s cyber defences by declaring the factory as “now owned by Pakistan.”
In response, Indian authorities temporarily took the AVNL website offline to conduct a comprehensive security audit and assess any potential data compromise. Officials stated that “necessary measures” were being implemented to reinforce the nation’s digital defence systems and prevent future intrusions.
While the government has not officially confirmed the data breach, IDSA’s senior management reportedly denied that their systems were hacked. However, sources cited by News18 indicated that the alleged cyberattack may indeed have impacted sensitive defence information.
This incident highlights a broader issue, as India has been facing an increasing number of cyber attacks across various sectors. According to cybersecurity firm CloudSEK, India was the world’s second most targeted country for cyberattacks in 2024, with at least 95 organisations affected by data theft this year alone.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is expected to play a central role in coordinating response efforts and bolstering cybersecurity preparedness.
