New Delhi, May 2: In a fresh wave of cyber offensives, Pakistan-sponsored hacker groups, including Cyber Group HOAX1337 and National Cyber Crew, attempted to breach Indian websites linked to the armed forces, education, and veteran welfare. All attempts were unsuccessful and promptly neutralised by Indian cybersecurity agencies.
Among the targets were the websites of Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and Sunjuwan, which hackers sought to deface with messages mocking victims of the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. A separate incident involved the defacement of a veterans’ healthcare service website, underscoring Pakistan’s strategy of targeting vulnerable civilian-linked platforms, including those serving children and ex-servicemen.
The Army Institute of Hotel Management and the Indian Air Force veterans’ portals were also targeted, further illustrating Pakistan’s attempts to escalate tensions in the digital domain. Intelligence reports suggest that after failing to infiltrate critical national networks, these groups are turning their attention to publicly accessible sites.
On April 29, the hacker group Internet of Khilafah (IOK Hacker) attacked platforms such as APS Srinagar and APS Ranikhet, using defacement, DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service) attacks, and attempts at data harvesting. An attempted breach of the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) and IAF Placement Organisation was also detected.
Thanks to India’s real-time cybersecurity systems, the intrusions were rapidly traced back to Pakistan. All affected sites were isolated and restored, and no operational or classified networks were compromised.
These cyberattacks come amid rising border tensions, as the Pakistan Army engaged in unprovoked small arms firing along the Line of Control (LoC) for the eighth consecutive night from May 1 to early May 2. Indian Army forces responded effectively in areas including Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Naushera, and Akhnoor.
The firing began shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 25, further suggesting a coordinated strategy of provocation through both kinetic and cyber means. Indian forces have responded with calibrated and proportionate action, maintaining operational readiness on all fronts.