70% of India's power grid disabled via cyberattack, according to security sources. - Geo News

70% of India's power grid disabled via cyberattack, according to security sources. - Geo News

In a significant escalation of the ongoing cyber conflict between India and Pakistan, security sources have reported that 70% of India's power grid has been disabled due to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The attacks, which began in late April, have targeted critical infrastructure and public service systems, causing widespread disruptions.

The DDoS attacks, which have been attributed to Pakistan, have targeted various sectors of India's power grid and public services. According to NSFOCUS Fuying Lab, the attacks have significantly impacted the performance of India's power grid, with the official website of POWERGRID (www.powergrid.in) being one of the primary targets. The POWERGRID website, which is responsible for the operation and management of India's national power grid, was attacked using NTP reflection amplification, causing temporary unavailability of key services such as electricity bill inquiry and online payment [1].

The attacks have also targeted other critical public service systems, including the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The UIDAI, responsible for managing India's universal biometric identity system, was attacked using NTP reflection amplification, potentially causing interruptions in services such as Aadhaar card application and information update [1]. BSNL, India's central public sector enterprise, suffered multiple rounds of DDoS attacks, causing the operator's official website to remain inaccessible as of May 7, 2025 [1].

The escalation of DDoS attacks has been closely linked to the real-world tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. The attacks have occurred in parallel with military conflicts along the Line of Actual Control and other escalating measures taken by both countries. The attacks have not only disrupted key public services but also pose a significant threat to the stability of India's power grid and overall cybersecurity infrastructure.

The situation highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity in the context of geopolitical tensions. As the conflict between India and Pakistan continues, it is crucial for both countries to invest in robust cybersecurity measures to protect critical infrastructure from potential attacks.

References:
[1] https://nsfocusglobal.com/two-battlegrounds-india-pakistan-conflicts-and-ddos-attacks/