Indo-Pak cyber conflict signals dangerous digital escalation

As India and Pakistan weaponise cyberspace, the threat shifts from borders to networks, exposing national vulnerabilities and strategic gaps.

- DAVID SEHYEON BAEK

The enduring rivalry between India and Pakistan has entered a new and more complex dimension. What was once limited to military standoffs, border skirmishes, and diplomatic conflicts has now expanded into cyberspace. With each passing year, cyberspace is becoming more than just a backdrop to geopolitical tensions—it is becoming an active front of conflict in its own right.

Recent developments have made this shift increasingly evident. The tragic Pahalgam attack on 22 April 2025, which resulted in the death of 26 Indian civilians, triggered a multi-layered response from India. While the immediate action took the form of Operation Sindoor, involving precision military strikes against targets across the border, it was accompanied by a quieter but equally aggressive campaign online. This dual-front retaliation demonstrated how cyber operations are now integrated into strategic national responses, operating in parallel with conventional force projection.

In the days following the operation, Pakistani threat actors launched digital assaults on Indian defence institutions such as the Military Engineering Services. On the other side, Indian hacktivist groups, most notably the Indian Cyber Force (ICF), claimed responsibility for a series of retaliatory cyberattacks. These included the websites of the AJK Supreme Court, Euro Oil, and the University of Balochistan.

The incidents marked another cycle in an ongoing digital tit-for-tat—symbolic on the surface but with deeper implications beneath.

CYBER ESPIONAGE AND THE THREAT OF SILENT INFILTRATION