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Meet the Teen “Cyberterrorist” Who, During Operation Sindoor, Waged a Digital War Against India

Cyberterrorist: An 18-year-old from Gujarat was arrested for leading over 50 cyberattacks on Indian government websites during Operation Sindoor. Authorities suspect online radicalisation and possible foreign influence behind the coordinated digital assault. AHMEDABAD Jasim Shahnawaz Ansari, an 18-year-old from Nadiad, was detained by the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) for reportedly planning more than 50 assaults on Indian government websites, a development that has shocked the country’s cybersecurity scene. After India began Operation Sindoor in May 2025 as a military response after a terror incident in Pahalgam, the attacks allegedly became more intense. Officials claim that Ansari and other young people organised Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks using free tools obtained from websites such as GitHub and Termux in a group named AnonSec on Telegram. Among the targets were important government agencies in the fields of finance, urban development, aviation, and defence. On hacked websites, they frequently displayed anti-national statements such as “India may have started it, but we will be the ones to finish it.” Open-Source Weapons: A Cybercrime How-To According to investigators, the group learned Python programming and carried out attacks using open-source software and YouTube tutorials. Ansari allegedly overloaded government servers with digital traffic using programs like PyDroid. According to the ATS, the group boasted about their crimes in internet chat rooms after learning how to use websites like checkhost.net to confirm the effectiveness of their attacks. Even though many of the attacks were simple, intelligence services were alarmed by their sheer number and timing, which coincided with Operation Sindoor. After detecting discussion on online forums about India’s military operations, the Gujarat ATS began surveillance and monitoring. Eventually, they concentrated on the Telegram channels where attack plans were publicly discussed. Radicalisation, Recruitment, and the Juvenile Web Investigators have been taken aback not only by the attacks’ boldness but also by the target demographic. Ansari, a science student in class twelve who failed recent tests, is among an increasing number of young people engaged in cyber subversion. At least one further 17-year-old kid is being investigated, according to ATS officials. The ATS is currently investigating whether these kids acted on their initiative or with the support of foreign operators. “There is a chance that hostile outside forces could have an impact. A top ATS official stated, “We are looking at digital footprints to find any deeper affiliations.” Cyberterrorism-related FIRs have been submitted following Sections 43 and 66F of the IT Act. The arrest of a teenager responsible for such coordinated cyberattacks raises alarming concerns about online radicalisation, national resilience, and the ease with which the young and enraged can weaponise digital India is confronted with a complex threat matrix that includes both digital and physical fronts in its conflict.

Microsoft wants AI ‘agents’ to work together and retain information

Microsoft envisions AI agents collaborating across companies and improving memory retention using structured retrieval augmentation. At its Build conference, it plans to promote open standards like the Model Context Protocol to foster an interconnected “agentic web.” Microsoft’s top technologist said Sunday, ahead of the company’s annual software development conference, that the company envisions a future when its AI agents may work together with agents from other companies and remember past contacts more clearly. At its Build conference in Seattle on May 19, analysts expect Microsoft to unveil its latest tools for developers building AI systems. Microsoft is dedicated to encouraging the adoption of industry-wide standards that will allow agents from different manufacturers to collaborate, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott told reporters and analysts at the company’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters before to the conference. Agents are AI systems that are able to do specific activities, like fixing a software defect, on their own. Scott claims that Microsoft is backing the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) technology, which was first introduced by Google-backed Anthropic. According to Scott, MCP could lead to the development of an “agentic web” in a manner akin to how hypertext protocols facilitated the internet’s growth in the 1990s. “It means that your imagination gets to drive what the agentic web becomes, not just a handful of companies that happen to see some of these problems first,” Scott stated. According to Scott, Microsoft is working to improve AI agents’ recall of tasks that customers have requested of them, but as of right now, “most of what we’re building feels very transactional.” However, because it requires more computing power, enhancing an AI agent’s memory is costly. Microsoft is focusing on a new approach called structured retrieval augmentation, where an agent provides a roadmap of the subjects discussed by summarising each turn in a user discussion. “This is a core part of how you train a biological brain – you don’t brute force everything in your head every time you need to solve a particular problem,” Scott stated.

CLAT Counselling 2025: NLIU Bhopal adds a BSc LLB Cyber Security Hons program to the seat matrix

CLAT Counselling 2025: NLIU Bhopal has introduced a new BSc LLB (Hons) in Cyber Security program in the CLAT 2025 seat matrix, open only to science stream students. CLAT 2025 counselling registration began on May 17 and will continue until May 21 at 5 PM. CLAT Counselling 2025: The National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal’s seat matrix has been revised, according to the Consortium of National Law Universities (CNLU). According to the announcement, NLIU has added a new program to its list of courses offered through the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) 2025: BSc LLB (Honours) in Cyber Security. Additionally, the updated CLAT UG 2025 results were released. The consortium advised candidates who wish to apply for the recently introduced program to include it on their list of preferences when they go through the CLAT UG 2025 counselling procedure. Notably, only applicants who took the science stream in their 12th grade are eligible for this course. The NLIU, Bhopal brochure, which is accessible on the Consortium’s official website, has also been recommended to candidates. The authorities have made it clear that after the deadline, requests for preference adjustments will not be considered. Candidates can email the helpdesk at clat@consortiumofnlus.ac.in or phone 08047162020 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on all working days if they have any questions or need any assistance. The new seat matrix for CLAT UG applicants is shown below: Vertical Reservation B.A.LL.B. B.Sc.LL.B. All India General/Unreserved 52 26 All India EWS 12 6 All India SC 16 8 All India ST 20 10 All India OBC 14 7 Horizontal Reservation General/Unreserved of MP 26 13 SC of MP 8 4 ST of MP 10 5 OBC of MP 7 4 Women 30 15 All India PWD 5 3 NRI/NRI Sponsored 18 9 J & K Resident 2 2 Here is the revised CLAT PG seat matrix: Vertical Reservation LL.M All India General/Unreserved 30 All India SC 10 All India ST 12 All India OBC 8 Horizontal Reservation 15 SC of MP 5 ST of MP 6 OBC of MP 4 Women 18 All India PWD 3 The CLAT 2025 results were revealed by the Consortium in the meantime, and admissions counselling registration opened on 17 May at 4 PM. Until 21 May at 5 PM, candidates can still finish the registration procedure by logging into their official accounts.

LinkedIn co-founder claims AI should be taught at colleges, and 30% of South Korean schools utilise AI-powered textbooks

LinkedIn co-founder claims AI should be taught at colleges, Nearly 30% of South Korean schools have adopted AI-powered textbooks, showcasing a national push toward digital education. LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman urges colleges to integrate AI into curricula and assessments to stay relevant in evolving educational landscapes. According to reports, South Korea is implementing AI in regular classrooms as part of its aggressive efforts to transform traditional education. Nearly 30% of South Korean schools, ranging from elementary to high school, have already implemented AI-powered digital textbooks since March, according to Nikkei Asia, marking a significant shift in the way that pupils learn. This week’s APEC education ministers’ summit, which was held in South Korea for the first time in nine years, featured the proposal. Using the platform, the nation showcased its digital transformation in schools, especially the introduction of AI-based math and English textbooks for specific grade levels nationwide. Andeok Elementary School in Jeju, which was selected by the government last year as a model for digital-first learning, provided a preview of this change. In a fourth-grade arithmetic session, kids worked through problems on tablets while their scribbled solutions were shown in real time on a digital board. A clear image of how AI is being utilised to make lessons more interactive and responsive was provided by the class, which was attended by international dignitaries. Nevertheless, there have been challenges associated with South Korea’s quick adoption. Among the urgent issues the nation must confront are regional disparities in digital access and the requirement to upskill educators. A analogous debate is developing in higher education around the world as South Korea concentrates on integrating AI in early education. Reid Hoffman, a co-founder of LinkedIn, brought up an issue that many educators are now starting to address: AI is here to stay, and colleges must change. In an interview on his podcast “Possible,” Hoffman stated that as more students use generative AI tools to finish their projects, the conventional format of college exams—particularly essays—is no longer dependable. He thinks universities should reconsider how learning is evaluated and think about incorporating AI into the evaluation process itself rather than opposing it. Hoffman proposed that AI might be used as a co-examiner in future exams or that they might even shift more toward oral exams, which need a deeper level of comprehension. He pointed out that while AI-generated essays are frequently generic, teachers could use them as models for students to follow, encouraging them to set greater goals. Avoiding AI in the classroom, he added, just postpones the inevitable. You can’t “ignore the new tool,” Hoffman said, adding that giving kids the skills they need to collaborate with AI will be essential to their future employment. He cautioned that unless they aggressively embrace change, many colleges risk slipping behind as they continue to use antiquated teaching techniques.

“Informing Customers” claims that Dior’s client data was stolen in a cyberattack

Dior confirmed a cyberattack compromised client data, excluding financial details, and is notifying affected customers. This follows a wave of cyberattacks targeting major European retailers, including Marks and Spencer and Harrods. Dior stated that no financial data, including bank card details, was on the database accessed, but it did not specify the number of clients implicated. On May 14, 2025, the French luxury brand Dior declare that client data had been taken by cyber criminals, but they assured that no financial information was compromised. A number of well-known European retailers have been the victim of cyberattacks, with the major LVMH subsidiary being the most recent. Following the announcement by the Le Monde newspaper that Asian clientele had informed them of the alleged January information breach, Dior issued a statement. “The House of Dior has learned that some of our client data was accessed by an unauthorised third party. “We took immediate action to contain this incident,” the statement read. Dior stated that no financial data, including bank card details, was on the database accessed, but it did not specify the number of clients implicated. “Dior teams are still looking into and responding to this situation with the help of top cybersecurity specialists. All pertinent regulatory bodies are being notified,” it continued. “We are in the process of informing customers affected by this incident.” Le Monde claims that client names, email addresses, postal addresses, and phone numbers were among the stolen data. According to HSBC bank, Dior, one of LVMH’s two main brands along with Louis Vuitton, generated 8.7 billion euros ($9.7 billion) in revenue in 2024. Cyber gangs have been increasingly targeting new high-end brands and retailers in recent months. British company Marks and Spencer announced on May 13, 2025, that weeks of interruptions to its online services had resulted from a cyberattack that had exposed some of its customers’ personal information. The high-end department store Harrods and the Co-op food chain have also been affected in recent weeks.

Chandigarh Launches Cyber Wellness Clinic to Combat Rising Cybercrime

Chandigarh’s NITTR has launched the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic to combat rising cybercrime, offering training and awareness programs, and support for citizens and law enforcement. Backed by Zscaler and ISAC, the clinic aims to build a safer digital future through education and prevention. May 12: The National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTR) in Sector 26 opened the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic on April 30, 2025, in a significant effort to shield Chandigarh from the growing threat of cybercrime. A vital resource for citizens, educators, students, and law enforcement in the battle against online threats like phishing, identity theft, and QR code scams, this state-of-the-art facility is supported by Zscaler’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and in partnership with the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC). NITTR Chandigarh, a pillar of technical education, was founded in 1967 under the Ministry of Education with an initial emphasis on polytechnic training throughout northern India. It is now a renowned university with programs in engineering, technology, and educational management, as well as international partnerships and a reputation as a centre for research. The Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic strengthens NITTR’s dedication to digital safety after a similar project at Punjab University on March 4, 2025, proved successful. The core of this effort is Zscaler, a pioneer in worldwide cloud security that Jay Chaudhry launched in 2007. Millions are protected by Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange platform, which has offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Mohali, and Pune in addition to seven data centres in India. Its Social Impact Program empowers marginalised areas by advancing digital equity and cyber education. “Building a secure digital future for everyone is the goal of our collaboration with NITTR and ISAC,” Karishma Bhuyan, CSR Lead at Zscaler, stated during the launch. India is the #1 target for AI-powered cyberattacks in Asia Pacific, according to the Zscaler ThreatLabz Phishing Report 2025. Cybercriminals never stop, from hidden links in images to phoney QR code schemes. Chilling local trends were given by Chandigarh Cyber Cell SP Smt. Geetanjali Khandelwal: “Scammers are targeting expectant fathers with fake semen donation schemes, tricking them into scanning malicious QR codes.” Senior persons are identified as the primary focus of Chandigarh Police’s cyber vans and surveys conducted with NCC cadets, underscoring the critical need for awareness. A comprehensive resource for preventing common cybercrimes is the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic. It offers 26 ISAC-certified programs, practical training at ISAC’s Cyberagent Cybersecurity Labs, and awareness sessions on fraud and cyber threats. In order to develop their abilities for cybersecurity careers—an area that is expected to need millions of workers in the years to come, according to Cyber Crime Magazine—participants can use technologies like Breach Point, EthixFirst, and the National Security Database. The clinic also provides officers with specialised training in cybercrime investigation, which improves law enforcement’s capacity to react. The clinic’s technical rigor is guaranteed by ISAC, a non-profit organization that works with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, AICTE, CERT-In, and IIT Gandhinagar. Its platforms offer useful resources, including as ethical frameworks and bug bounty schemes. “This initiative empowers communities to face digital challenges head-on,” ISAC Group Captain P. Anand Naidu stated. The clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and is available to victims of cybercrime and anybody seeking advice on digital safety. Additionally, it provides law enforcement with cutting-edge training in cybercrime investigation. Need assistance right away? For prompt assistance, you can get in touch with Cybercrime Intervention Officers immediately through the free ISAC Cop Connect App. With 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals needed and Cyber Crime Magazine projecting that global cybercrime expenses will reach $10.5 trillion yearly by 2025, this program positions Chandigarh as a leader in creating a safe online environment. This partnership between Zscaler, ISAC, and NITTR is revolutionary. Join Chandigarh in the fight for a safe digital future by visiting the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic and arming yourself with knowledge. Don’t hesitate—remain vigilant and secure!

Pakistan-Backed Hackers Launch 15 Lakh Cyberattacks on India; Only 150 Succeed

Pakistan-backed hacker groups launched over 15 lakh cyberattacks on Indian infrastructure, with only 150 being successful, according to Maharashtra Cyber. The attacks, linked to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Middle East, also involved disinformation campaigns and website vandalism. Mumbai: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Maharashtra Cyber has identified seven Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) organisations that carried out more than 15 lakh attacks against vital infrastructure websites throughout India. Officials said only 150 of these strikes were successful on 12 May 2025. They claimed that despite an agreement between India and Pakistan to halt military conflict, the neighbouring nation, Bangladesh, and the Middle East continue to launch cyberattacks against Indian government websites. Speaking to reporters, a top Maharashtra Cyber official refuted allegations that hackers had targeted the Election Commission website, compromised aviation and municipal systems, and stolen data from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport. The investigation found that, although they did not completely halt, cyberattacks on Indian government websites declined as India-Pakistan tensions subsided. Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Morocco, and other Middle Eastern nations are still launching these attacks,” he claimed. The state’s nodal cyber agency described the cyberwarfare carried out by hacker organisations affiliated with Pakistan in a paper titled “Road of Sindoor,” which was created as part of the military campaign against terrorists that the Indian armed forces launched under the same name. All of the major law enforcement organizations, including the State Intelligence Department and the Director General of Police, have received the report. The Middle East, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and an Indonesian organization were the sources of these cyberattacks, according to the assessment, stated Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber. The techniques employed included GPS spoofing, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, and malware campaigns. There have also been reports of Indian websites being vandalised. According to him, India’s vital infrastructure was spared, and other such attempts were stopped. Maharashtra Cyber’s previous report, “Echoes of Pahalgam,” which detailed cyberattacks in the wake of the Pahalgam terror incident, is followed up on by “Road of Sindoor.” APT 36 (headquartered in Pakistan), Pakistan Cyber Force, Team Insane PK, Mysterious Bangladesh, Indo Hacks Sec, Cyber Group HOAX 1337, and National Cyber Crew (affiliated with Pakistan) are the seven hacker groups mentioned in the report. According to Yadav, these organisations combined carried out almost 1.5 million focused cyberattacks against Indian infrastructure. The website of the Kulgaon Badlapur Municipal Council was vandalised, one of the 150 successful attacks. Additionally, the attackers claimed to have stolen data from telecom businesses and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja International Airport (CSMIA), some of which was purportedly found on the dark net. The Defence Nursing College’s Jalandhar website was also vandalised. According to the research, groups with ties to Pakistan are using a hybrid warfare strategy that involves extensive disinformation efforts. These organisations made exaggerated claims that they had compromised India’s banking system and disrupted power. More than 5,000 instances of false information and fake news on the armed disputes between India and Pakistan were found and eliminated by Maharashtra Cyber from social media. Thirty-five of the 80 particular misinformation cases that were reported for removal have already been removed, and the other forty-five are still pending. According to Yadav, these bogus narratives included allegations of satellite jamming, state-wide blackouts, cyberattacks on India’s power infrastructure, interruption of the Northern Command, and an alleged strike on a BrahMos missile storage facility. According to him, Maharashtra Cyber has advised people to check news from reliable and authentic sources and to avoid believing or disseminating false information.

India Boosts Financial Cybersecurity Following Cross-Border Tensions

India has urged the RBI, NPCI, and banks to strengthen cybersecurity amid rising tensions with Pakistan and threats to digital payment systems. To safeguard the nation’s financial institutions and digital payment infrastructure, the finance ministry has requested that the RBI, banks, and NPCI, among other important financial institutions, increase cybersecurity protection and remain vigilant. “Yes,” We’ve released a thorough advice on it,” a senior government source said about The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), which runs the real-time payments system UPI, major banks, and a few other organisations, thought to be crucial to the safety and integrity of the nation’s financial system, are all considered financial institutions. The protection of NPCI and major banks serves as the foundation for the digital infrastructure that has revolutionised digital payments in India. Over 17–18 billion mobile payments of over Rs 24 lakh crore are made in India each month. The warning follows rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam massacre on April 22 and India’s counterterrorism actions. India thwarted waves of Pakistani drone and missile assaults on its border regions and military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur, and other places on the evening of May 8. The Centre has especially requested that these banks maintain heightened awareness and strengthen cybersecurity across the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) infrastructure, payment gateways, real-time gross settlement systems, and core banking systems. Two weeks after 26 people were killed in a terror strike in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, India began Operation Sindoor early the next day, targeting nine militant sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Given the current circumstances, CERT-In and the Reserve Bank of India previously urged the majority of significant financial institutions and payment providers to be ready for any cyberattacks. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has an office called the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) that keeps an eye on the nation’s digital assets and cybersecurity. Under the National Technical Research Organization (NTRO), the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) is the national organization responsible for safeguarding Critical Information Infrastructure (CII) assets, whose disruption could have a significant effect on both economic stability and national security.

India Emerges as Key Growth Market for Google Cloud, Says Country MD

India is one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing and most strategic markets, driven by its vast scale and builder economy. With certified regions in Mumbai and Delhi, Google Cloud serves key sectors and continues major investments to expand its presence. India is one of the fastest-growing and most strategically important countries for Google Cloud, according to a top executive, because of its enormous customer base and worldwide construction industry. Bikram Singh Bedi, VP and Country MD of Google Cloud, said the business is very focused on the Indian market. “India is seen by us as a two-faceted market. The first dimension is to the scale of our operations; not many nations operate on this scale. India’s economy has a second component: builders. India is one of our most important markets and one of Google Cloud’s fastest-growing nations, Bedi told PTI, adding that the company works closely with some businesses to develop for the global market. Mumbai and Delhi, two Google Cloud regions in India, have received certification from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity). These serve a wide spectrum of customers in industries like telecommunications, financial services, healthcare, and e-commerce. Furthermore, it has invested in subsea cable projects with landings in India, such as Raman, MIST, and IAX. Among Google Cloud’s customers in India are well-known businesses including HDFC Group, ICICI Bank, Apollo 24/7, Manipal Hospitals, Flipkart, Meesho, Adani Group, Jio, and Airtel. India has been and will continue to be an important and sought-after market. Since this is one of our fastest-growing markets worldwide, our investments here are constantly ahead of the curve to take advantage of the opportunity,” Bedi said.

Pink Booths Upgraded with Cybercrime Tools to Aid Women and the Elderly in Lucknow

Lucknow Police trained 99 Pink Booth Officers to tackle cybercrimes against women and the elderly. The workshop focused on digital complaint handling, fraud prevention, and securing online safety. In an attempt to enhance women’s digital and physical safety, the Lucknow Police Commissioner held a three-day intensive training program for Pink Booth Officers (PBOS). This gave them the tools they needed to better address the growing cyber threats against women. The goal of the event, which took place at Police Lines Seminar Hall from May 9 to May 11, was to improve officers’ technical proficiency in handling digital crimes to modernise the operation of Pink Booths, which are helpdesks specifically designed for women. Up to 99 female police officers were given practical instruction on how to use the Sanchar Saathi Portal and the Cyber Fraud Online Portal. Under the direction of cybercrime specialist Gautam Mishra, the seminar featured live demonstrations of data security procedures, protecting digital evidence, and complaint registration. According to Saumya Pandey, assistant commissioner of police for crime against women, women and the elderly may easily report and register stolen or missing property. Updates on the progress of filed FIRS are also available to them. “Assist with character verification and tenant background checks. According to Pandey, victims of online fraud can immediately file complaints at any Pink Booth in order to take immediate action and freeze stolen funds. Pandey said the Pink Booths will now help older people and women who have trouble filing cybercrime complaints. They will also learn how to lock their cards and accounts in the event of cyber fraud. The initiative is part of the larger “Women’s Safety, Prosperity Guaranteed” campaign, which seeks to provide safer online and offline environments for women in Lucknow. Pink Booths are being reorganised as part of this program to serve as all-inclusive service locations for women’s support and safety requirements.

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