The Indian Army is implementing stronger cybersecurity measures after multiple hacking attempts targeted defence-related websites, sources confirmed on Monday. These include attacks on Army Public Schools and the Army College of Nursing, as well as claims of data breaches involving defence think-tanks and a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
Defence think-tank denies breach
Amid swirling reports on social media, two senior officials from the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) have categorically denied that their website was hacked, as reported by ANI. Their response comes after the Pakistan Cyber Force, a handle on social media platform X, claimed responsibility for breaching MP-IDSA systems.
The group alleged that it had accessed 10GB of sensitive data belonging to over 1,600 users on the MP-IDSA website. It also claimed access to data from the Military Engineer Services (MES). However, no official confirmation has been made, and the claims remain unverified.
Also Read: Pahalgam attack: Code of war - India and Pakistan take their battle to the (web)front
Educational and welfare websites hit
A growing list of cyberattacks has alarmed defence authorities. Hackers recently targeted websites of several Army Public Schools (APS), including APS Nagrota and APS Sunjuwan in Jammu and Kashmir. Both websites were down as of Monday evening.
On April 25, the Army College of Nursing in Jalandhar Cantonment was also attacked. The website was defaced with disturbing images and a banner that read: “YOU ARE HACKED!!! TEAM INSANE PK”. The site remains offline.
These institutions fall under the Army Welfare Education Society, which manages a range of educational and welfare services for military personnel and their families.
Also Read: Cyber attack alert: Pakistan cyber force claims breach of Indian Defence Institutions websites
Cyber experts monitoring situation
“Appropriate and necessary measures” are being taken to “bolster” digital defences and guard against further intrusions, sources told multiple media outlets. One insider added that the focus is on “enhancing the overall resilience” of military-linked digital infrastructure.
Cybersecurity agencies are “actively monitoring cyberspace” for further attacks, especially those suspected to be cross-border operations.
PSU website taken down for audit
The website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a PSU under the Defence Ministry, was also reportedly taken offline. Sources quoted by NDTV said this was done for a thorough audit to assess any damage caused by an attempted cyber breach.
A post from Pakistan Cyber Force allegedly showed an edited image of the AVNL homepage, where an Indian tank had been replaced with a Pakistani one. Another message read: “Hacked. Your security is illusion. MES data owned.”
Wave of attacks traced to Pakistan
On May 1, hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” made failed attempts to breach several defence-linked websites. These were promptly detected and neutralised, according to ANI.
Earlier, in late April, a hacker group operating under the name “IOK Hacker” (Internet of Khilafah) launched a coordinated campaign against Indian defence platforms. Among the targets were websites of APS Srinagar, APS Ranikhet, and the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO). The website of the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation was also reportedly targeted.
APS Srinagar, in particular, suffered a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack in addition to being defaced with propaganda.
Also Read: Home Ministry orders civil defence drills in multiple states as India-Pakistan tensions rise after Pahalgam attack
Larger tensions after Pahalgam attack
The cyber incidents come in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 25 tourists and a local resident were killed. The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the assault.
India has launched diplomatic actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa services to Pakistani nationals. Security meetings involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior defence officials suggest a broader response is being considered.
In contrast, Pakistan has denied involvement and demanded evidence, a stance it has repeated in the aftermath of previous attacks.
Rajasthan education website also targeted
Adding to concerns, the website of the Rajasthan education department was hacked recently. The attackers mocked the Indian government over the 2019 capture of Indian Air Force officer Abhinandan Varthaman and posted inflammatory content related to the Pahalgam incident.
Authorities are on alert, and defence-linked institutions are revisiting their digital security protocols. With regional tensions simmering and cyber provocations increasing, officials say that India’s cybersecurity infrastructure will be continuously upgraded to deal with evolving threats.
Defence think-tank denies breach
Amid swirling reports on social media, two senior officials from the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA) have categorically denied that their website was hacked, as reported by ANI. Their response comes after the Pakistan Cyber Force, a handle on social media platform X, claimed responsibility for breaching MP-IDSA systems.
The group alleged that it had accessed 10GB of sensitive data belonging to over 1,600 users on the MP-IDSA website. It also claimed access to data from the Military Engineer Services (MES). However, no official confirmation has been made, and the claims remain unverified.
Also Read: Pahalgam attack: Code of war - India and Pakistan take their battle to the (web)front
Educational and welfare websites hit
A growing list of cyberattacks has alarmed defence authorities. Hackers recently targeted websites of several Army Public Schools (APS), including APS Nagrota and APS Sunjuwan in Jammu and Kashmir. Both websites were down as of Monday evening.
On April 25, the Army College of Nursing in Jalandhar Cantonment was also attacked. The website was defaced with disturbing images and a banner that read: “YOU ARE HACKED!!! TEAM INSANE PK”. The site remains offline.
These institutions fall under the Army Welfare Education Society, which manages a range of educational and welfare services for military personnel and their families.
Also Read: Cyber attack alert: Pakistan cyber force claims breach of Indian Defence Institutions websites
Cyber experts monitoring situation
“Appropriate and necessary measures” are being taken to “bolster” digital defences and guard against further intrusions, sources told multiple media outlets. One insider added that the focus is on “enhancing the overall resilience” of military-linked digital infrastructure.
Cybersecurity agencies are “actively monitoring cyberspace” for further attacks, especially those suspected to be cross-border operations.
PSU website taken down for audit
The website of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a PSU under the Defence Ministry, was also reportedly taken offline. Sources quoted by NDTV said this was done for a thorough audit to assess any damage caused by an attempted cyber breach.
A post from Pakistan Cyber Force allegedly showed an edited image of the AVNL homepage, where an Indian tank had been replaced with a Pakistani one. Another message read: “Hacked. Your security is illusion. MES data owned.”
Wave of attacks traced to Pakistan
On May 1, hacker groups such as “Cyber Group HOAX1337” and “National Cyber Crew” made failed attempts to breach several defence-linked websites. These were promptly detected and neutralised, according to ANI.
Earlier, in late April, a hacker group operating under the name “IOK Hacker” (Internet of Khilafah) launched a coordinated campaign against Indian defence platforms. Among the targets were websites of APS Srinagar, APS Ranikhet, and the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO). The website of the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation was also reportedly targeted.
APS Srinagar, in particular, suffered a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack in addition to being defaced with propaganda.
Also Read: Home Ministry orders civil defence drills in multiple states as India-Pakistan tensions rise after Pahalgam attack
Larger tensions after Pahalgam attack
The cyber incidents come in the wake of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, where 25 tourists and a local resident were killed. The Resistance Front, a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the assault.
India has launched diplomatic actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and visa services to Pakistani nationals. Security meetings involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and senior defence officials suggest a broader response is being considered.
In contrast, Pakistan has denied involvement and demanded evidence, a stance it has repeated in the aftermath of previous attacks.
Rajasthan education website also targeted
Adding to concerns, the website of the Rajasthan education department was hacked recently. The attackers mocked the Indian government over the 2019 capture of Indian Air Force officer Abhinandan Varthaman and posted inflammatory content related to the Pahalgam incident.
Authorities are on alert, and defence-linked institutions are revisiting their digital security protocols. With regional tensions simmering and cyber provocations increasing, officials say that India’s cybersecurity infrastructure will be continuously upgraded to deal with evolving threats.
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