Tech Desk 
May 09, 2025
In the latest twist to the ongoing digital rivalry between Pakistan and India, a team of Pakistani hackers started a cyber campaign known as Operation Salar, saying it's a retaliatory effort against continuous Indian cyberattacks and cyberpropaganda.
The hackers claim that this operation is to defend Pakistan's virtual space and counter the negative perception being spread on the internet about the nation.
Cyber conflicts between India and Pakistan
Cyber conflicts between nations have been increasing over the last couple of years, but this time around, the war is coming out in the open.
According to ProPakistani, Operation Salar began with a grand slam, four top Indian websites were breached, and Pakistan's flag was put on their homepages.
The group behind the cyber attack says it has stolen sensitive information from these sites to demonstrate how deep they can penetrate.
Meanwhile, the hackers are terming it "a warning, not the end." They are claiming Operation Salar is just the start of a larger cyber response.
Their prime objective, as per declarations posted on social media, is to counter anti-Pakistan propaganda and to raise issues such as the continued human rights abuses in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
The campaign picked up speed in no time, particularly on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), where the hashtag #OperationSalar is trending. Even supporters are calling for further digital attacks on Indian media, banks, and defence networks.
Cybersecurity specialists say the situation may escalate. Both Pakistani and Indian agencies are reported to be on high alert, keeping a close eye on further attacks.
