In a fresh wave of cyberattacks, hacker groups allegedly linked to Pakistan have once again targeted sensitive Indian defense institutions, escalating digital hostilities between the two neighboring countries. Indian media, including the Hindustan Times, report that a group identifying itself as the Pakistan Cyber Force has claimed responsibility for breaching multiple defense-related websites and accessing classified information.
The cyberattacks, which follow closely on the heels of the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, are being seen as part of a pattern of increasing cyber aggression. According to sources cited in Indian media, the group claims to have compromised the systems of the Indian Military Engineering Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. While Indian authorities have yet to publicly confirm the full extent of the breach, initial reports suggest that personnel data and login credentials might have been exposed.
The Pakistan Cyber Force reportedly announced its actions via X (formerly Twitter), stating that it had accessed sensitive personnel records and other internal data. The group’s message also included a warning of more such breaches to come, a declaration that has prompted Indian cybersecurity agencies to launch urgent investigations into the potential fallout of this digital incursion. According to cybersecurity analysts in India, the breach—if confirmed—could have far-reaching implications for the integrity and operational security of critical defense infrastructure.
Further exacerbating the situation, officials report that the official website of Armored Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a government-owned defense manufacturing company, was also defaced. Screenshots circulating online show the Pakistan flag prominently displayed along with images of the Al Khalid tank, a main battle tank developed jointly by Pakistan and China. This public defacement is not only a symbolic attack but also a direct challenge to India’s cybersecurity posture.
This latest breach is the second cyberattack in one week reportedly linked to Pakistani entities. Earlier incidents involved two other hacker groups—Cyber Group HOAX1337 and National Cyber Crew—who allegedly attempted to deface the websites of the Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and APS Sunjuwan. These institutions cater to the welfare and education of military families, and the attempted breaches sparked concerns over the targeting of non-combat, humanitarian segments of India’s defense community.
Although the Indian government has not issued an official statement confirming the extent or impact of these breaches, internal cybersecurity units have been activated to assess vulnerabilities, prevent additional intrusions, and trace the origin of the attacks. These incidents underscore the persistent threat of state-linked or state-backed cyber warfare in South Asia, where geopolitical tensions frequently spill over into the digital domain.
Cybersecurity experts warn that the use of advanced persistent threat (APT) tactics by hacker groups in the region has made it increasingly difficult to safeguard even high-level defense infrastructure. As the digital battlefield expands, both India and Pakistan appear to be ramping up their cyber capabilities—raising fears of a future where critical systems and national security decisions could be compromised remotely.
The situation remains under investigation, with defense analysts urging both countries to invest in stronger digital defenses, develop joint cyber norms, and promote regional cooperation to prevent escalations that could lead to more damaging consequences—both online and offline.
