Operation Sindoor Exposes Cyber War: India Fends Off 15 Lakh Attacks, 150 Hit Mark

Operation Sindoor Exposes Cyber War: India Fends Off 15 Lakh Attacks, 150 Hit Mark
India’s Operation Sindoor, launched to dismantle terror camps in Pakistan after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, unveiled a parallel battle in cyberspace. Over 15 lakh cyber attacks targeted India’s digital infrastructure, with only 150 succeeding. Hackers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle Eastern countries, and an Indonesian group were behind these assaults, aiming to disrupt critical systems. India’s robust defenses, however, limited the damage, showcasing its cyber resilience.

Pahalgam Attack: Catalyst for Conflict
The Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 people, was a calculated strike attributed to Pakistan-backed militants. Beyond physical devastation, it triggered a digital offensive, with 15 lakh cyber attacks launched during Operation Sindoor on May 6–7. These attacks targeted sectors like BSNL, Indian Railways, and banking systems. India’s swift attribution of the terror attack to Pakistan escalated tensions, making cyberspace a new battleground for geopolitical rivalries.

Cyber Onslaught: Scale and Sources
The 15 lakh cyber attacks, primarily distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) and malware attempts, originated from five countries. Pakistan and Bangladesh led the charge, with Middle Eastern nations and an Indonesian hacker collective also implicated. Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed that only 150 attacks breached India’s defenses, a testament to the nation’s fortified cyber infrastructure. The attacks aimed to cripple communication networks and sow chaos, but most were neutralized by India’s cyber task force.

India’s Cyber Defense Triumph
India’s National Cyber Coordination Centre and private cybersecurity firms worked tirelessly to counter the digital siege. Advanced firewalls, real-time threat monitoring, and AI-driven detection systems ensured that 99.99% of attacks failed. The 150 successful breaches caused minor disruptions, quickly contained without significant impact. Shah praised the cyber defense team, emphasizing that India’s technological prowess matched its military strength during Operation Sindoor.

Geopolitical Implications
The cyber war underscores the evolving nature of India-Pakistan tensions, with Bangladesh and others drawn into the fray. As India navigates a fragile ceasefire, the government is bolstering cyber defenses and pursuing diplomatic measures to hold hostile actors accountable. The parliamentary briefing on May 19 will likely address this digital front, reinforcing India’s resolve to protect its sovereignty in both physical and virtual domains.