Indian media reports say that Pakistan-linked hackers, operating under the name Pakistan Cyber Force, have once again targeted Indian defense institutions. The group claims to have breached sensitive websites and accessed classified information, adding to tensions following the recent Pahalgam attack.
According to Hindustan Times, the Pakistan Cyber Force has claimed responsibility for hacking several key Indian defense organizations, including the Indian Military Engineering Services and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Although Indian authorities have not confirmed the extent of the breach, sources familiar with the matter stated that personnel data, including login credentials, might have been compromised.
The hacker group, through its X (formerly Twitter) account, asserted that it had accessed classified personnel records. In response, Indian cybersecurity agencies have initiated urgent investigations to evaluate the scale of the breach and prevent further risks.
Additionally, the attackers reportedly defaced the official website of Armored Vehicle Nigam Limited (AVNL), a government-owned defense company, displaying the Pakistan flag and images of the Al Khalid tank, officials said.
This alleged cyberattack follows the deadly Pahalgam incident that left 26 dead, further fueling India-Pakistan tensions. It also marks the second cyberattack in a week linked to Pakistani hackers.
Earlier, two hacker groups identified as Cyber Group HOAX1337 and National Cyber Crew allegedly targeted military-related websites associated with welfare services for children and veterans, attempting to deface the platforms of Army Public School (APS) Nagrota and Sunjuwan, according to Indian media reports.