ISLAMABAD / NEW DELHI: Indian sources now claim that Pakistani-linked cyber teams have infiltrated multiple sensitive Indian defence networks, potentially accessing classified data alleged to include information pertaining to Rafale-M jets, according to recent coverage and intelligence assessments.
Indian cyber and security officials suggest that Pakistani-affiliated hacker groups, including those identified as APT36 (Transparent Tribe) and “Pakistan Cyber Force,” attempted to penetrate data channels associated with India’s defense infrastructure. Though no confirmed breach into Rafale’s highly encrypted Secure Data Link (SDR) system has been proven, sources say the attackers may have accessed details related to upgrade plans, deployment schedules, and flight patterns .
During India’s Operation Sindoor, cybersecurity agencies reported that 75% of cyber attacks aimed at Indian government digital systems were traced to state-aligned adversaries, notably Pakistani, Turkish, Malaysian, Bangladeshi, and Chinese actors . Pakistani groups purportedly rolled out phishing and malware campaigns targeting Indian defence think tanks and engineering services platforms .
APT36 (Transparent Tribe) used phishing-laced documents to exfiltrate data from DRDO-related infrastructure and military think tanks in India, potentially compromising sensitive strategic planning .
Pakistan Cyber Force reportedly defaced the Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited website and claimed access to login credentials for up to 1,600 defence personnel via the MP‑IDSA and Military Engineering Service platforms .
While cyberthreats were widespread, only around 150 intrusions—out of a million-plus attempts—successfully carried out data theft .
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Claims that Pakistan infiltrated the Rafale’s Secure Data Link (SDR)—which employs unbreakable AES‑256 encryption—have been described as “laughable” by analysts, given Pakistan’s lack of quantum computing capabilities. Independent cybersecurity experts and official Indian statements affirm that Rafale systems remained uncompromised .
In the aftermath of the May conflict known as Operation Bunyan‑um‑Marsoos, Pakistan’s cyber teams reportedly disabled critical Indian communication facilities, government emails, and power grid systems, disrupting public services in major provinces and critical infrastructures .
Meanwhile, pro‑Indian cyber groups have launched counter-offensives. The Indian Cyber Force and affiliated hacker collectives claimed to infiltrate Pakistani surveillance systems and university networks in retaliation, elevating the digital warfare dimension between the two countries