New Delhi – As bilateral relations deteriorate following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistani cyber attackers have launched a series of digital offensives against Indian defence establishments. These Pakistani cyber attackers claim to have breached several sensitive websites, though some targeted institutions have denied these assertions.
Pakistani Cyber Attackers Claim Major Defence Data Breach
Pakistani cyber attackers operating under the name “Pakistan Cyber Force” announced on social media platform X that they successfully infiltrated the digital infrastructure of key Indian defence organizations. The Pakistani cyber attackers specifically claimed unauthorized access to the Military Engineer Services (MES) and the prestigious Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA).
According to their public statements, the Pakistani cyber attackers allegedly obtained approximately 10 GB of sensitive data belonging to over 1,600 users of the MP-IDSA website. This information potentially includes login credentials, personal details, and possibly classified documents related to national security matters.
“The targeting of defence think tanks and military engineering services represents a calculated attempt to access strategic information,” noted a cybersecurity expert who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation. “These Pakistani cyber attackers are clearly attempting to exploit heightened tensions between the two nations.”
The timing of these cyber incursions coincides with escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, including one Nepali national, on April 22, 2025.
Think Tank Denies Breach Claims by Pakistani Cyber Attackers
Despite the bold assertions made by the Pakistani cyber attackers, senior management at the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses has categorically rejected claims that their digital systems were compromised.
“Our cybersecurity protocols remain intact and we have found no evidence supporting these allegations,” a senior official from MP-IDSA stated. “We continuously monitor our networks and have implemented multiple layers of protection against such intrusions.”
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However, cybersecurity analysts suggest that even denied breaches warrant thorough investigation. “Pakistani cyber attackers often make exaggerated claims, but partial intrusions cannot be ruled out without comprehensive forensic analysis,” explained a digital forensics specialist with experience in government security. “Sometimes, threat actors can achieve limited access while being blocked from core systems.”
The conflicting accounts highlight the complex nature of cyber warfare, where attribution and verification remain challenging even for sophisticated security agencies.
Additional Targets of Pakistani Cyber Attackers
Reports from multiple news outlets suggest the Pakistani cyber attackers expanded their campaign beyond research institutions. According to credible sources, Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a Public Sector Undertaking operating under the Ministry of Defence, also experienced attempted website defacement.
“The AVNL website was temporarily taken offline for a thorough security audit following detection of suspicious activities,” revealed an official familiar with the matter. “This is standard procedure when Pakistani cyber attackers or other malicious entities target critical infrastructure.”
At the time of reporting, the AVNL website remained inaccessible, suggesting ongoing security measures or potential remediation efforts. However, independent verification of the actual extent of compromise remains challenging.
Pakistani cyber attackers have demonstrated persistent interest in India’s defence industrial infrastructure, with previous campaigns targeting similar organizations. Security experts believe these actions form part of a broader strategy to gather intelligence on India’s military capabilities and preparedness.
Systematic Campaign by Pakistani Cyber Attackers
Evidence suggests these incidents aren’t isolated but part of a coordinated offensive by various Pakistani cyber attackers. Groups identifying themselves as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” attempted to breach multiple websites on May 1, though cybersecurity agencies successfully thwarted these efforts.
“We’ve observed increased sophistication in the tactics employed by Pakistani cyber attackers since late April,” noted a senior cybersecurity professional. “Their techniques now include distributed denial-of-service attacks, SQL injection attempts, and social engineering approaches tailored to defence personnel.”
Particularly concerning are reports that Pakistani cyber attackers targeted Army Public Schools in Nagrota and Sunjuwan, attempting to deface their websites with messages mocking victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack. This represents a significant escalation in psychological warfare tactics.
Another group operating under the name “IOK Hacker” (Internet of Khilafah) focused on publicly accessible welfare and educational websites on April 29. Their objectives reportedly included page defacement, service disruption, and harvesting personal information of military families and veterans.
India’s Response to Pakistani Cyber Attackers
Indian cybersecurity architecture has proven largely resilient against these digital incursions by Pakistani cyber attackers. Officials report that intrusion detection systems identified most breach attempts in real-time, allowing for rapid containment and mitigation.
“Our defensive capabilities have evolved significantly over the past several years,” explained a cybersecurity official speaking on condition of anonymity. “We now possess advanced threat intelligence gathering and attribution tools that help us quickly identify when Pakistani cyber attackers are targeting our infrastructure.”
Notable attempted breaches thwarted by Indian security agencies include:
- A distributed-denial-of-service assault against Army Public School Srinagar
- An attempted breach of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation database
- Efforts to compromise the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation portal
These defensive successes demonstrate the growing maturity of India’s cyber resilience posture against Pakistani cyber attackers and other threat actors.
Broader Context of Digital Conflict
The current wave of cyber activities by Pakistani cyber attackers occurs against a backdrop of deteriorating bilateral relations. Following the Pahalgam attack, India has taken several measures including banning Pakistani ships from its ports and blocking numerous Pakistani social media accounts, including those belonging to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, celebrities Fawad Khan and Atif Aslam, and media outlets like Dawn News.
Digital security experts suggest that as conventional diplomatic and economic avenues narrow, Pakistani cyber attackers may intensify their digital offensives. “Cyberspace represents an asymmetric domain where nations with limited conventional capabilities can project power at relatively low cost,” observed an international relations scholar specializing in cyber conflict.
The pattern of targeting educational institutions and welfare organizations represents a concerning trend, as these entities typically maintain lower security postures than military networks while still containing valuable personal information about defence personnel and their families.
Future Implications and Preparedness
As Pakistani cyber attackers continue their campaign, security experts recommend enhanced vigilance across India’s critical infrastructure. “Defence-adjacent organizations need to implement strict security protocols, including multi-factor authentication, regular security audits, and employee training on recognizing phishing attempts,” advised a cybersecurity consultant who works with government agencies.
The current situation underscores the evolving nature of modern conflict, where battles increasingly occur in digital space alongside traditional domains. Pakistani cyber attackers represent just one facet of a complex security landscape that includes state-sponsored actors, ideologically motivated hackers, and criminal enterprises.
For ordinary citizens, these developments highlight the importance of digital hygiene and caution when accessing services related to government or defence institutions. Regular password changes, verifying website authenticity, and scrutinizing unsolicited communications have become essential practices in an era where Pakistani cyber attackers and other malicious actors actively target national infrastructure.
As tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors continue to simmer following the Pahalgam attack, cybersecurity experts anticipate that Pakistani cyber attackers will persist in their efforts to breach Indian systems, necessitating continuous evolution of defensive capabilities.
