Operation Sindoor cyberattack case: NIA searches five locations across India

The NIA conducted searches at five locations across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Bihar and Delhi in a probe into attempted DDoS attacks on 54 Indian government websites during Operation Sindoor. Investigators seized digital devices and documents and questioned suspects allegedly linked to the attacks

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday conducted multi-state searches as part of its investigation into cyber attacks on Indian government websites during Operation Sindoor. The searches were conducted at five locations — Junnar in Pune, Maharashtra, Nadiad in Kheda, Gujarat, Ramagundam in Karimnagar, Telangana, Gopalganj in Bihar and Delhi, a statement issued by the NIA said.

The case, registered on June 25 last year, pertains to attempted sophisticated Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks on 54 websites of government entities, targeting critical computer resources and Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) during Operation Sindoor, it said.

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The attacks were allegedly aimed at compromising national sovereignty, security and unity, and inciting public fear, according to the agency. In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian armed forces carried out precision strikes on May 7 last year 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.

Two accused have already been arrested in the case, which was originally registered by Gujarat Police. During the investigation, suspects who allegedly provided support and assistance to the accused in preparing for and developing skills to carry out the DDoS attacks were identified through thorough technical analysis, the anti-terror agency said.

Searches were conducted at their premises on Monday morning after search warrants were issued by a competent court, it said. The NIA said various digital devices and documents containing incriminating material related to hacking activities were seized during the searches. The suspects were also questioned about their association with the arrested accused. Three laptops, five mobile phones and other digital devices, including pen drives, were seized following due procedure, the NIA said.