15 lakh cyberattacks from Pakistan-linked hackers: India contains 99.99%

Maharashtra Cyber, the cybersecurity department under Maharashtra Government, has traced over 15 lakh cyber attacks on Indian critical infrastructure, allegedly launched by seven Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups. While 99.99% attempts were blocked, a miniscule 150 attacks succeeded, officials confirmed on Monday.

Despite India and Pakistan reaching a ceasefire agreement, cyber threats have continued. Indian government websites remain under constant attack, not just from Pakistan, but also from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and parts of the Middle East.

However, dismissing rumours about major breaches, a senior official clarified that there was no evidence of successful hacks into Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, municipal systems, or the Election Commission.

The detailed findings are included in a report titled Road of Sindoor, part of a broader military operation of the same name. The report highlights a pattern of state-backed cyber warfare, revealing coordinated attacks by Pakistan-allied hacking groups including APT 36, Pakistan Cyber Force, Team Insane PK, Mysterious Bangladesh, Indo Hacks Sec, Cyber Group HOAX 1337, and National Cyber Crew.

The attacks ranged from malware campaigns, DDoS attacks, and GPS spoofing, to website defacements. Among the few successful incidents, the Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council and Defence Nursing College, Jalandhar websites were defaced. Alleged data leaks from the Mumbai airport and telecom firms were also mentioned, with some claims surfacing on the darknet.

The report warns of a broader hybrid warfare strategy, combining cyber assaults with misinformation campaigns. These included false claims of power grid failures, satellite jamming, and banking system breaches.

Maharashtra Cyber reported taking down over 5,000 misinformation posts, with 35 out of 80 flagged cases removed, and 45 still pending. Citizens are urged to verify news through official channels and refrain from spreading unverified claims.

The findings have been shared with all major law enforcement and intelligence agencies for coordinated action.

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