New Delhi:
Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, India has witnessed an alarming surge in cyber attacks on its digital infrastructure. According to official sources, over 15 lakh (1.5 million) cyber intrusion attempts have been recorded, many of which are suspected to have originated from hacker groups operating out of Pakistan. These attacks have primarily targeted government websites, financial institutions, and public service portals.
Cybersecurity agencies including the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) have been monitoring the situation closely. Preliminary investigations suggest that these cyber threats are not random but part of a coordinated campaign by state-backed or state-tolerated hacker collectives.
The cyber attacks began within hours of the Pahalgam attack and have continued over several days. The nature of the attacks includes distributed denial of service (DDoS), phishing campaigns, malware injections, and attempts to deface public-facing websites. Most of the attempts have been blocked or mitigated in time, but some systems experienced temporary disruptions.
An official from CERT-In stated that the volume and velocity of the cyber strikes point to a well-orchestrated effort. “The attackers appear to have planned this digital offensive as a response to political and military developments. The targets are symbolic as well as functional, intended to create panic and test India’s cyber resilience,” the official added.
Several hacking groups, including some previously linked to Pakistani intelligence, have claimed responsibility for parts of the operation through social media channels and dark web forums. Screenshots and messages promoting cyber jihad and targeting Indian sovereignty have also surfaced, intensifying concerns about cyber terrorism being used as an extension of asymmetric warfare.
In response, Indian agencies have ramped up defensive protocols. Emergency alerts have been issued to IT departments of central and state government bodies, as well as to critical sectors such as energy, healthcare, banking, and transportation. Cyber drills and incident response simulations are being conducted to assess readiness.
National Cyber Security Coordinator Lt. Gen. Rajesh Pant reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening cyber infrastructure. “India is prepared to defend its digital borders just as firmly as its physical ones. We are working closely with public and private sector partners to detect, neutralize, and recover from any threats.”
Experts warn that as geopolitical tensions persist, cyber attacks may become more frequent and sophisticated. They advocate for increased investment in cybersecurity, threat intelligence sharing between agencies, and updated cyber laws to prosecute foreign-based attackers operating through proxies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is expected to brief Parliament on the issue in the coming days, outlining both the nature of the threats and the steps being taken to safeguard the nation’s cyber landscape.
As the investigation continues, digital vigilance remains a top priority for national security agencies tasked with protecting India's digital infrastructure from state-sponsored cyber aggression.
