Pakistan’s National Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) on Monday launched an investigation into reported cyberattacks targeting some private television channels and websites across the country.A special meeting of the National CERT was held in Islamabad on Monday to review the cyber incidents that occurred the previous night. In the meeting, cybersecurity experts and officials of the national CERT discussed initiating a comprehensive probe into the breaches and assessing the scale of the disruption.

Authorities said efforts were under way to determine the motive and nature of the attacks, while coordination and consultation with relevant national institutions continued. The national CERT officials have assured in the meeting that a detailed report would be compiled once the investigation about the cyberattacks is completed.

Officials said complaints were received regarding the hacking of multiple private television channels and websites late Sunday night, prompting an immediate security review.It is pertinent to note that some reports claimed Israeli and Indian intelligence-linked actors were behind the hacking of Pakistani private news channels, where anti-Pakistan content was allegedly broadcast.

However, these claims have not been independently verified by authorities.In response, a group described as Pakistan’s Cyber Force reportedly launched a retaliatory cyber operation targeting India. he Indian broadcaster ABP News was said to have been briefly compromised, with pro-Pakistan slogans and content related to the Pakistani military aired during the alleged breach.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)