Pakistani hackers have reportedly hacked the official website of the Rajasthan government's Education Department, creating a major stir in the state and across India. Early Tuesday morning, users who visited the site were shocked to find it defaced with threatening messages. The hackers, identifying themselves as the "Pakistan Cyber Force", replaced the website’s homepage with a provocative note that read, “Pahalgam was not an attack; it was an inside conspiracy. You lit the fire, now be ready to melt. The next attack will not be with bullets, but through technology.” The attackers also posted an image of Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman with the caption “The tea is fantastic,” referencing his capture by Pakistan during the 2019 Balakot incident.

Reference to Pahalgam Terror Attack Raises Alarm

This cyberattack comes just days after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, where 26 people lost their lives. The timing and the message seem to be aimed at spreading propaganda and trying to sway public opinion about national security. Officials think this could be part of a bigger cyberattack targeting India's digital systems.

Immediate Action by Rajasthan Government

Rajasthan’s Education Minister Madan Dilawar acknowledged the breach and said that the website was immediately taken offline to prevent further damage. He called the attack an assault on India’s sovereignty and confirmed that a formal cyber investigation is underway. The National Cyber Security Agency has been brought in to trace the origin of the hack and secure the compromised systems.

History of Cyberattacks on State Websites

Interestingly, this is not the first time Rajasthan government websites have been targeted. Similar incidents occurred in previous years, where state websites including those of the Jaipur Development Authority, Local Bodies Department, and Urban Self Governance were briefly taken down due to cyberattacks. This repeated targeting shows a clear vulnerability in the digital security of Indian government platforms.

Cybersecurity Experts Express Concern

Cybersecurity experts are really worried about the recent breach. They keep pointing out that India is seeing a growing number of cyberattacks, with over 1.5 lakh incidents being logged every month. Government websites, due to outdated security systems and lack of encryption, are especially vulnerable. Experts are now urging the government to take strong action, including introducing multi-layered cyber defenses, regular audits, real-time threat monitoring systems, and improved staff training on cybersecurity practices.

Government Plans for Digital Security Overhaul

The Rajasthan government has promised a full audit of all its online platforms to identify and fix weaknesses. Officials are also planning to launch cybersecurity awareness programs for educators and students to build a more digitally secure environment.