In a retaliatory wave aligned with Operation Bunyan un Marsoos, Pakistani hackers launched a sweeping cyberattack early Saturday, targeting over 150 high-profile and sensitive Indian websites.
The cyber onslaught followed India's missile and drone strikes on Pakistani territory and has now exposed critical vulnerabilities in India's digital infrastructure.
According to 24NewsHD TV Channel, among the websites breached were those of the Indian Defence Production unit, Assam Rifles, and the Department of Atomic Energy.
Notably, the highly sensitive data from India’s Defence Production portal has been listed for sale on the dark web, raising alarm over national security within Indian circles.
In a symbolic act of cyber protest, the defaced websites bore messages accusing India of harbouring terrorism, stating, “India is the epicentre of terrorism.”
The breach has cast serious doubt on India's claims of technological superiority in the field of information security.
The report suggests that Pakistan’s cyber forces have paralysed critical nodes of India’s digital backbone through a coordinated campaign affecting sectors including defence, energy, telecommunications, and key government portals.
Among the most significant breaches was the compromise of more than 150 sensitive Indian databases, including those belonging to the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Air Force (IAF), and the Maharashtra Election Commission. The database of Paytm, India’s prominent digital payment platform, was also accessed.
The cyber operation also disabled over 2,500 Indian surveillance cameras, some of which recorded and leaked the aftermath of a major explosion at the BrahMos missile storage site in Beas, Punjab. The footage, marked with a watermark of the Pakistani cyber unit, shows widespread damage to the facility, raising questions about the robustness of India’s defence infrastructure.
The TV channel reported that Pakistan has reportedly crippled key elements of India's digital infrastructure by launching a string of high-impact strikes on Saturday.
The cyberattack, believed to be meticulously coordinated, targeted a wide array of critical Indian sectors ranging from energy and telecommunications to defense and government portals, including the official site of ruling BJP.
According to sources within Pakistan's cybersecurity apparatus, the operation saw the following major targets compromised:
Energy Sector: A series of 10 SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems within India's energy sector were successfully breached, disrupting control systems and potentially compromising the stability of key power generation and distribution networks. Pakistan also hacked Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company. Due to attack all commercial and domestic meters destroyed.
Web Infrastructure: In a devastating blow to India's digital framework, a total of 1,744 web servers were completely destroyed. All data stored on these servers was permanently wiped, causing irreparable damage to both public and private sector infrastructure.
Energy and Consumer Platforms: Pakistani cyber units reportedly shut down wind turbines across various states, and several consumer electricity portals were rendered inaccessible, severely disrupting electricity distribution to Indian citizens.
Transportation and Utilities: The Indian Railways' entire ICT infrastructure, alongside critical services for the Delhi Gas Discom and Kashmir Electric Discom, were obliterated. The damage resulted in complete data erasure, disrupting daily operations for millions.
Telecommunications and Security: Over 120 routers and 1,310 IP cameras were defaced, with their configurations altered. The cyber assault extended to multiple surveillance systems, compromising security at key installations.
Government and Corporate Websites: A coordinated effort saw the defacement of 13 government portals, including those belonging to high-profile agencies like the Crime Research Investigation Agency (CRIAI) and the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). Additionally, 110 corporate websites were taken offline, including major firms like Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Defence and Sensitive Data: Pakistani hackers reportedly stole over 150 databases containing highly sensitive information, which has since been leaked onto various platforms. This includes information from India's Border Security Force (BSF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). Furthermore, the Maharashtra Election Commission's database was accessed, and Paytm's database was also compromised, further highlighting the operation’s broad scope.
Massive Surveillance Breach: One of the most alarming aspects of the attack was the breach of over 2,500 surveillance cameras in India, rendering them inoperable. A watermark of the cyber operation was reportedly embedded on the video footage showcasing the destruction of the BrahMos missile storage site in Beas, Punjab. The video, which surfaced online shortly after the attack, displayed significant damage to the storage facility, casting doubt on the security of India’s defense infrastructure.
Media Disruption: The cyber offensive also targeted media organizations, with three prominent Indian news channels being defaced and disrupted. These attacks left thousands of viewers without access to critical news and updates during an already tense period.
While the full scope of the attack's aftermath is still being assessed, the scale of destruction has prompted reactions from both governments. Indian officials have yet to comment comprehensively on the attack, though cybersecurity experts from the region have warned that the damage could take weeks, if not months, to repair.
The cyber strike follows a string of heightened geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of engaging in cyber warfare to undermine national security.
PAF cyber team breaks down 235 power stations in Karnataka
As many as 235 power stations of Karnataka Renewable Energy Development were broken by Pakistan Airforce cyber team’s successful attacks, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.
As a result of PAF cyber team attacks, Karnataka plunged into darkness.
All solar and wind power grids of the state were completely inoperative.
Reporter: Ahmad Mansoor