ET sources have reported that at least two cyberattack groups, ‘Cyber Group HOAX1337’ and ‘National Cyber Crew’, have been active this week, launching repeated attempts to infiltrate Indian military-linked sites. “There have been consistent attacks aimed at websites connected to children, veterans, and civilians,” sources said, stressing that these are calculated provocations designed to test India’s restraint and provoke the armed forces.
These cyberattacks, they note, are part of a broader pattern of digital warfare by Pakistan, which has long used such tactics as an extension of its larger strategy of terrorism and information warfare. The continued ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) mirror this ongoing provocation.
Also Read: How Pakistan is preparing for the worst as India weighs response
In a particularly troubling development, a malicious PDF file, allegedly titled ‘Report & Update Regarding Pahalgam Terror Attack’, has been flagged by Indian cybersecurity experts. The document, linked to phishing domains that mimic official Indian government websites, is believed to be part of a larger scheme to compromise sensitive information.
India vs Pakistan on the cyber front
Experts predict that the cyberattacks will intensify, with Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal Technologies, highlighting a sharp escalation in Pakistan-backed cyber campaigns targeting Indian defence and critical infrastructure. His firm’s recent investigations revealed that hacker group APT36 (also known as Transparent Tribe) has been deploying advanced malware like CrimsonRAT and MeshAgent through sophisticated phishing attacks. “These cyber strikes coincide with rising DDoS surges and website defacements, all aimed at destabilizing public trust,” Salvi told ET earlier.Also Read: India eyes fund freeze for Pakistan after Pahalgam terror attack
Sundareshwar Krishnamurthy, a partner at PwC India, noted that cyberattacks have moved beyond isolated disruptions. “Cyberattacks have become deliberate extensions of geopolitical strategy,” he told ET earlier. “Every major flashpoint now triggers coordinated digital offensives aimed at undermining a country’s critical infrastructure.” The digital battlefield is evolving quickly, and both sides are adapting to evade detection and cause maximum disruption.
This escalation is not limited to government and military targets. Dhiraj Gupta, cofounder of mFilterIt, a fraud detection agency, revealed that social media bots and malicious ads have been increasingly used to shape narratives and spread chaos. mFilterIt reported a 10-15% rise in malicious ad placements on OTT platforms over the past week, with 70% of its clients affected by misleading ads.