Indian Defence Websites Targeted? Pakistani Hackers Claim Major Breach

Cybersecurity professionals and security agencies are keeping a close eye on Indian cyberspace to look for any infiltration from malicious actors in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist assault, which has increased geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan.

 Cybersecurity professionals and authorities are actively scanning cyberspace to identify any new cyberattacks, especially those that might be funded by threat actors connected to Pakistan, government officials told a news outlet.

According to the report, the surveillance will seek to promptly detect and lessen any potential threats from cybercriminals in the future. This comes after a person on the social media site X going by the handle "Pakistan Cyber Force" claimed to have obtained private data from the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA) and the Indian Military Engineering Service.

Bigger Threat to India’s Security

According to the Pakistani account, 10 GB of 1,600 defence personnel's personal information, including login credentials, was hacked. The names, addresses, cellphone numbers, departments, designations, and "MES No." of the defence personnel were listed in an image that was attached to the message. Additionally, the group vandalised the website of the Defence Ministry's PSU, Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL).

"Your armoured factory is now owned by Pakistan, courtesy of Pakistan Cyber Force," the group said, posting images of the AVNL website where the image of an Indian tank has purportedly been replaced by a Pakistani "Al Khalid" tank and Pakistani flag.

According to reports, the government responded by taking down the AVNL website so that an audit could determine whether there was any harm. The website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Ltd has been pulled offline for a comprehensive and intentional audit as a preventive step, officials told the news agency, to determine the degree of any potential damage caused by the defacement effort and to protect the website's integrity.

 They went on to say that "appropriate and necessary measures" are being taken to fortify digital defences, reinforce the security infrastructure, and prevent additional infiltration attempts.

No Official Confirmation for the Government

According to a media house, senior IDSA management staff "categorically denied" that the agency's website had been compromised, even though the government has not publicly acknowledged the events.

However, the cyberattack might have exposed private data connected to Indian army officials. This comes almost two weeks after a horrific terror incident in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.

Cyberattacks against Indian entrepreneurs and organisations are increasing, in addition to geopolitical concerns. According to a survey by security firm CloudSEK, 95 companies experienced data theft in 2024, making India the second most targeted country in the world for cyberattacks.