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The Pakistan-based cyber group Pakistan Cyber Force has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack targeting sensitive Indian defence institutions, according to a statement posted on the group’s Twitter account. The group alleges that it has gained unauthorized access to confidential data belonging to the Military Engineering Services (MES) and the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), including personal information and login credentials of defence personnel.
Sources within the Indian defence establishment confirmed that the alleged breach is under investigation. “Preliminary findings are being assessed to verify the authenticity of the claims and determine the extent of any data compromise,” an official familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity.
In a separate but possibly related incident, the official website of Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, was defaced. Screenshots circulating online show the site displaying the Pakistani flag and imagery of the Al-Khalid tank.
A senior AVNL official stated that the website was taken offline immediately as a precaution. “We are conducting a comprehensive audit to evaluate the impact and to reinforce our digital infrastructure,” the official said.
Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns about the increasing frequency and sophistication of such cyber intrusions. “These types of attacks bear the hallmarks of state-sponsored actors. Attribution is complex, but there are indications of coordinated efforts targeting critical defence systems,” a senior cybersecurity analyst at a government-affiliated agency noted.
Indian cyber defence agencies, including CERT-In and the Defence Cyber Agency, are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. “Enhanced surveillance protocols have been activated across defence digital assets to detect any further attempts at intrusion,” an official source confirmed.
Responding to these incidents, officials said the government is implementing measures to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks, enhance vulnerability assessments, and improve incident response mechanisms across defence institutions.
“The priority is to ensure data integrity, prevent any further breaches, and build long-term resilience into our digital systems,” the official added.
Team BharatShakti
