Cyber attack: Pakistan’s hybrid strategy against India
Islamabad: Pakistan has successfully targeted Indian infrastructure through cyber attacks linked to Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, deploying various types of malware.
According to Kashmir Media Service, The Indian Express Special Correspondent Mukesh Ranjan reported that during a recent escalation between the two countries, Pakistan launched approximately 1.5 million cyber attacks, utilizing malware such as “Dance of Hillary.” This development underscores Pakistan’s growing prowess in cyber warfare and marks the first significant use of the cyber domain in bilateral conflict, expanding the battlefield into the digital realm.
The success of Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, combined with these cyber attacks, highlights the increasing importance of the cyber domain in modern conflict and reflects Pakistan’s evolving hybrid warfare strategy.
Cybersecurity experts have stated that malwares like “Dance of Hillary” and “Calls from Military” specifically targeted Indian defence personnel and journalists. These attacks were aimed at intelligence gathering and manipulating narratives as part of Pakistan’s broader cyber strategy. India’s reactive stance revealed serious vulnerabilities in preemptive threat detection, cyber defence readiness, and an overall inability to counter Pakistan’s expanding cyber capabilities.
Experts further pointed out that India’s weak cyber hygiene, fragmented cyber infrastructure, and lack of a centralized cyber command have made it highly susceptible to malware intrusions. Pakistani hackers had disabled up to 70% of India’s power grid, demonstrating Pakistan’s advanced cyber strike capability and emphasizing the growing role of cyber warfare in contemporary conflict.
