Pakistan government websites hacked on independence day

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Several government websites were hacked as Pakistan marked the 70th anniversary of its independence on Monday, according to local media reports.

Among the official websites defaced were the ministries of defense, railways, information, law and justice, and environment, Geo News said in its report quoting government officials.

The hackers allegedly defaced government sites with Indian flags and pictures of Indian army soldiers, the TV channel said.

Anadolu Agency tried to get in touch with government officials, but no one was willing to comment on the hacking reports on the record.

There have been several incidents of tit-for-tat hacking incidents between India and Pakistan over the years.

On Aug. 3, unidentified hackers posted the Indian anthem and Indian independence day greetings on Pakistani government websites four months after suspected Pakistani hackers took down websites of four prestigious Indian educational institutes.

In April, over 30 Pakistani websites, including of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party were taken down by suspected Indian hackers “in response" to cyberattacks by pro-Pakistani hackers on different Indian websites.