New Delhi (India): In a series of frustrated cyberattacks originating from Pakistan, the country’s cyber actors have once again failed to breach India’s digital sovereignty. Despite their efforts to deface educational and welfare websites, the Indian Army’s advanced cybersecurity infrastructure thwarted these intrusions in real-time.
Operating under the alias “IOK Hacker” (Internet of Khilafah), the Pakistani cyber group targeted several websites linked to educational and welfare institutions, including the Army Public School (APS) Srinagar, APS Ranikhet, and the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO). These efforts aimed to disseminate inflammatory propaganda, disrupt online services, and extract personal information.
The Indian Army’s cybersecurity framework quickly detected these breaches and traced them back to Pakistan. Although the hackers attempted to cause significant damage, such as launching a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack on APS Srinagar, no operational or classified networks were affected. All targeted websites were swiftly isolated, and corrective measures were implemented, ensuring that the attacks did not compromise any sensitive data.
This marks the fifth consecutive day of Pakistani attempts to destabilize the region, including small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC). On the night of April 28-29, Pakistan initiated unprovoked firing in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, and the Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian troops responded effectively, maintaining control and preventing escalation. Similar exchanges of fire had occurred on previous nights, including April 27-28.
These cyber attacks and ongoing military provocations come in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. As tensions continue to escalate along the LoC, the Indian Army remains on high alert, ensuring the protection of national security in both the physical and digital domains.