Pak defence minister claims IPL cyber sabotage, internet responds with laughter

Claiming retaliation for India’s Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Parliament that their cyber warriors hacked Indian systems, including IPL floodlights—a controversial remark that quickly drew criticism, doubt, and online satire

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stirred a controversy with unverified claims that Pakistani cyber operatives successfully disrupted critical Indian infrastructure, including during a high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match. Addressing Pakistan’s Parliament, Asif declared that “our cyber warriors did wonders” by allegedly switching off floodlights at an IPL game remotely — a statement that has drawn skepticism and ridicule alike.

The minister claimed Pakistani hackers targeted multiple Indian systems, from dam controls to stadium operations, in response to India’s recent military action under Operation Sindoor. Launched in April following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor was a major retaliatory strike by Indian forces on terror hubs across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Many observers see Asif’s remarks as an attempt to project resilience and technological strength in the wake of mounting domestic and international pressure.

Air raid, not cyberattack disruption

The specific incident referred to by Asif involved a match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala, where floodlights unexpectedly failed during the 11th over. Speculation briefly swirled around the cause, but Indian authorities later clarified that the outage was triggered by an air raid alert due to heightened regional security threats — not a cyberattack. Players and spectators were safely evacuated, and the tournament was briefly suspended for a week by the BCCI as a precautionary measure.

Despite the disruption, IPL 2025 resumed and concluded successfully, with Royal Challengers Bangalore finally lifting their maiden title after 18 seasons, offering a moment of celebration amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Social media ridicules claim

Asif’s claim, made without any technical substantiation, was met with a wave of derision on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), users mocked the statement, pointing to Pakistan’s frequent power outages. One user quipped, “First pay your own electricity bill,” while another wrote, “This is cyber comedy, not cyber warfare.”

Analysts and cybersecurity experts have largely dismissed the statement as political posturing, meant more for domestic consumption than factual accuracy. Critics argue it reflects a broader strategy by the Pakistani government to deflect attention from internal crises, including economic distress and growing civil unrest.