Indian armed forces officers during briefing on Operation Sindoor | File photo, Representative image The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has launched raids against accused linked to sophisticated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDS) attacks, targeting 54 government websites during India's Operation Sindoor. The attacks targeted critical computer resources and Critical Information Infrastructure, with the intent to disrupt government digital systems during the anti-terror operation by the Indian armed forces to avenge the Pahalgam terror attack. NIA is conducting searches at multiple locations to uncover the larger conspiracy, identify the accused involved and trace their links. The agency is also examining the digital infrastructure and methods allegedly used to carry out the cyberattacks during the sensitive period of Operation Sindoor. On Monday, NIA conducted searches at five locations in Junnar (Pune, Maharashtra), Nadiad (Kheda, Gujarat), Ramagundam (Karimnagar, Telangana), Gopalganj (Bihar) and Delhi, in connection with the ongoing investigation. According to the investigative agency, the accused had attempted sophisticated DDoS attacks against 54 websites of Government of India entities, targeting critical computer resources and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) during the period of Operation Sindoor, with intent to compromise national sovereignty, security and unity, and to incite public fear. Two accused have already been arrested in the case. The case was originally registered by the Gujarat ATS. During the course of investigation, suspects who provided support and assistance to the accused in the preparation and skill up-gradation for carrying out the DDoS attacks were identified through technical analysis. Searches were conducted on Monday morning at their premises after search warrants issued by the competent court. During the searches, various digital devices and documents containing incriminating material related to hacking activities were seized, and the suspects were examined regarding their association with the arrested accused. A total of 3 laptops, 5 mobile phones and other digital devices, including pen drives, were seized following due procedure. Further investigation in the case is continuing. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on May 7 last year (2025) against terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor. As many as 25 tourists and a local ponywallah were killed in cold blood by three terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit in the Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025. Priyank Tripathi is a Special Correspondent with over 16 years of experience in Journalism. The author covers agencies and furthermore reports from th... View More