Bharat: In a fresh display of cyber aggression, Pakistan-based hackers have attempted—unsuccessfully—to breach India’s military-linked digital infrastructure. The orchestrated attacks, traced back to a group calling itself “IOK Hacker” (Internet of Khilafah), were swiftly neutralized by India’s multi-tiered cyber defence architecture.
Intelligence sources confirm that four incidents were recorded in quick succession, targeting non-classified, public-facing digital platforms linked to the Indian Army and Air Force. Among them were the official websites of Army Public School (APS) Srinagar and APS Ranikhet, both of which were defaced with provocative content. APS Srinagar further endured a Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, intended to overload the site and disrupt functionality.
Simultaneously, a breach attempt was detected on the Army Welfare Housing Organisation (AWHO) database—an institution responsible for managing residential facilities for serving and retired personnel. Another attack targeted the Indian Air Force Placement Organisation portal. Cyber security teams acted promptly to isolate the affected systems and neutralize the threats.
“No classified or mission-critical networks were impacted,” confirmed an official involved in the incident response. “These attempts reflect frustration at failing to penetrate India’s secured cyber layers.”
The Indian Army has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national digital assets, with a senior military spokesperson stating: “While the enemy’s intent remains malign, its capabilities have proven insufficient. We remain vigilant, proactive, and determined to defend the digital frontlines just as we do the physical borders.”
The latest series of attacks comes in the wake of the recent Pahalgam terror strike and ongoing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control, suggesting a broader hybrid strategy aimed at psychological disruption rather than tactical advantage.
Cyber experts note that such attacks on welfare and educational websites serve propaganda goals and attempt to undermine morale among defence personnel and their families. However, the Indian Army’s robust cyber preparedness continues to act as a strong deterrent. (adg_pi)