Over 500 Indian Entities Targeted by Pro-Pak, Bangladeshi Hacktivists After Pahalgam Attack: Report

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, more than 500 Indian government and private organisations were targeted by pro-Pakistani and Bangladeshi hacktivist groups, according to a report by cybersecurity platform Falcon Feeds.io.

Between April 22 and May 8, 2025, over 200 cyberattacks were recorded and analysed. Of these, more than 55% were Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, which attempt to flood and crash targeted servers. Other attacks included website defacements, data breaches, and leaks.

A cybersecurity analyst, speaking anonymously, stated, “Every geopolitical conflict today has a cyber angle. While several attacks were launched, none were successful.” He also confirmed that India’s Income Tax portal experienced a temporary slowdown during one such attack but was quickly stabilised due to strong cybersecurity infrastructure and monitoring.

The report noted that the attacks were not limited to major institutions. Hackers also targeted smaller websites, including those of schools, colleges, and hospitals. Indian authorities consider these attacks especially serious due to their impact on public services.

Cybersecurity expert Nandakishore Harikumar said most of the attacks were of mid-level intensity and airports were among the main targets. However, none of the attacks caused lasting damage. “Our systems were well-prepared, and the infrastructure withstood the attacks,” he said.

Harikumar added that nearly 96% of the attacks were coordinated through Telegram. Many of these hacktivist groups use the platform to purchase DDoS services, avoiding the costs and complexity of maintaining their own attack infrastructure.

He also pointed out that, unlike other global cyber conflicts, Russian-linked hackers were not involved in these attacks.

While the immediate impact of these cyberattacks was limited, Harikumar warned of future threats. “If these groups manage to break into critical infrastructure, the consequences could be severe. We must treat digital security with the same seriousness as physical security,” he said.

The rise in cyber threats highlights the growing role of cyber warfare in geopolitical conflicts, and experts urge constant vigilance and strong cybersecurity measures.