Pak Cyber Groups Try To Hack Defence Websites, Steal Personnel Data: Army
Pakistan-based hackers have targeted Indian defence websites, stealing sensitive personnel data and defacing military domains, the Army said, amid escalating post-Pahalgam tensions.
The Indian Army on Monday confirmed that Pakistani hackers attempted to infiltrate key defence websites and may have compromised login credentials of defence personnel. The cyberattack follows the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike, which killed 26 civilians.
A hacker group using the X handle ‘Pakistan Cyber Force’ reportedly accessed sensitive information from the Military Engineer Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA).
In a separate attack, the official website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, was defaced using the Pakistani flag and AI-generated imagery.
“Following the defacement attempt, the AVNL website was immediately taken offline for a full-scale forensic audit,” said an Army spokesperson. The audit is intended to evaluate potential damage and reinforce cybersecurity protocols.
Cybersecurity experts and intelligence agencies are actively monitoring for any additional threats from Pakistan-backed hackers. “Steps are being taken to fortify digital defences and improve the resilience of our cyber infrastructure,” the Army added.
Officials confirmed that several cyberattacks have been neutralised, and agencies remain on high alert for any future incursions by hostile entities operating in cyberspace.
In recent days, multiple Indian military-linked websites have been targeted. These include Army Public Schools in Jammu, healthcare portals for ex-servicemen, and the Army Institute of Hotel Management.
Groups such as ‘Cyber Group HOAX1337’ and ‘National Cyber Crew’ allegedly posted mocking messages about Pahalgam terror victims on the defaced sites.
Officials noted that the attackers even attempted to compromise sites serving children, veterans, and civilian domains, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the campaign.
The attacks come in the wake of the Pahalgam terror incident, where Pakistan-based militants killed 26, mostly tourists. In response, India has launched a multi-pronged retaliation including diplomatic downgrades, airspace bans, and trade suspension.
PM Modi has vowed a strong response and granted “full operational freedom” to armed forces. India is also lobbying for global financial curbs on Pakistan and is pushing for its re-listing on the FATF grey list.
The Indian Army assured that all necessary actions are being taken to safeguard national digital assets. Enhanced surveillance and system audits are underway to prevent further breaches.
“Cyberattacks of this nature will be met with robust countermeasures,” an official said.
