Pakistan’s limited cyberattack shakes India’s IT hub

In a bold retaliatory move, Pakistan launched a cyberattack that deployed less than 10 per cent of its cyber arsenal but caused significant damage to India, a country known for its prominent role in the global IT industry.

A senior defence source disclosed that, although the scale of the cyber offensive was limited, the impact was profound and caught India off guard, Caliber.Az reports via Pakistan’s news channel.

"While the world saw Pakistan launching its operation on Saturday morning [May 10] with a precise strike package, including Fateh-1, Fateh-2 rockets, and Babur cruise missiles, hitting multiple targets deep inside India, including its prized S-400 radar, hell broke loose in the invisible cyberattack," the source said.

Security experts reported widespread chaos following the cyberstrike. Key infrastructure was severely affected: 10 SCADA systems were destroyed, 1,744 servers wiped clean, and 13 government websites were taken offline. The railways system collapsed, power grids were throttled, and even Mumbai had to rely on emergency backup power. The consequences of the cyberattack stretched far beyond mere technical damage, reaching into economic and social disruptions.

"Pakistan played a deeper game of GPS spoofing, signal jamming, satellite blinding, database hacking, and narrative warfare," the source noted. These tactics contributed not only to infrastructure failures but also to a steep market downturn and the freezing of critical services. "This is no ordinary retaliation. This is fifth-generation warfare — where Pakistan isn’t just responding, it’s rewriting the rules," the source emphasised, highlighting a shift in military strategy. "In this particular war, there are no tanks, no treaties, but just firmware, fiber, frequency, and fear." 

The operation also showcased Pakistan’s use of drones, including the Fatah-1 and Fatah-2, which flew over key Indian cities like New Delhi and Gujarat for psychological operations. Kamikaze drones, armed with payloads, were used in conjunction with electronic warfare to jam satellite links and blind India’s defence systems.

In addition to the cyber and drone attacks, Pakistan’s intelligence capabilities played a critical role. Through precise targeting, the operation neutralized several Indian special terrorist camps involved in the planning and execution of improvised explosive device (IED) activities in Pakistan, eliminating key masterminds and operatives. 

Pakistan's cyber assault on India signals a new era of warfare, where digital and psychological tactics play an increasingly central role, challenging traditional military responses. As the dust settles, experts are raising concerns about the evolving landscape of international conflict, where the boundaries between physical and cyber warfare are becoming increasingly blurred.

By Naila Huseynova