In a concerning development, the official website of the Army College of Nursing was compromised on Friday, merely days after a tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals. This incident has been attributed to “Team Insane PK,” a hacker group that operates out of Pakistan and has previously been known for targeting Indian digital infrastructure.
The hackers defaced the homepage of the college’s website, leaving behind a provocative message that referenced the controversial two-nation theory. This act of digital vandalism adds a layer of tension to the already strained relations between India and Pakistan, particularly in the wake of a recent brutal attack that has escalated diplomatic hostilities between the two nations.
The Army College of Nursing operates as an independent entity under the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), and officials indicate that they will collaborate with the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to investigate the breach and initiate recovery efforts.
The cyber assault comes in the context of heightened tensions following the April 22 terror attack, which prompted significant retaliatory measures from India, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of Pakistani defense attachés. In addition to revoking most Pakistani visas, India has also ordered non-citizen Pakistani nationals to depart the country within 72 hours.
In response, Pakistan has suspended several bilateral agreements and closed its airspace to Indian aircraft, further complicating the diplomatic landscape.
Team Insane PK has a notorious history of executing distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and vandalizing websites belonging to a variety of Indian institutions. Their activities have previously included attacks on government websites, educational establishments, and private businesses, drawing attention in 2024 when they hacked the site of a popular food chain, Burger Singh, in response to a promotional campaign that featured a code they found objectionable. Burger Singh’s lighthearted reaction to the incident showcased a commitment to maintaining a sense of humor amidst adversity, as they allowed the provocative graffiti to remain on their site for a day, dubbing it an “open mic night for hackers.”
Cybersecurity experts stress that such attacks are far more than mere antics; they constitute a form of hybrid warfare, particularly when they occur in the aftermath of significant terror events. The CERT-In is expected to lead a comprehensive investigation aimed at identifying the origins of the breach and enhancing cybersecurity protocols for institutions linked to national defense.
As of now, the Indian government has not yet released an official statement concerning this breach. However, it is anticipated that the incident will be included in ongoing reviews of the country’s cyber defense strategies.
