In recent days, relations between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have become increasingly tense following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, launched “Operation Sindoor” earlier this week in response to the attack, aimed at targeting over 70 terrorists believed to be sheltering in Pakistan.
Amidst this rising tension, both physical and digital conflicts have intensified. Over the past two days, misinformation has spread across social media platforms, claiming that Pakistan’s cyber army is planning a ransomware attack to disrupt banking operations throughout the Indian subcontinent. These rumors suggested that the Indian government was preparing to shut down ATMs nationwide as a precautionary measure against such attacks. To further amplify the confusion, these posts falsely cited the BBC as the source of the information.
As a result, many citizens rushed to ATMs to withdraw cash, fearing an impending banking crisis during the ongoing conflict.
However, early this morning, the Indian government officially debunked the rumors, stating that there were no plans to shut down ATMs. The government reassured the public that these claims were baseless and reiterated that no inconvenience would be caused to the public by any such action.
In addition to refuting the misinformation, the government affirmed that India’s military intelligence and cybersecurity agencies are fully equipped to handle potential cyberattacks. Measures are in place to safeguard the nation’s digital infrastructure from external threats.
As part of its response, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has deployed disaster recovery teams to manage and mitigate risks posed by ongoing cyber threats. Banks have been instructed to ensure that ATMs, particularly in regions such as Punjab, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir, are stocked with sufficient cash to meet the public’s needs during these uncertain times.
Authorities have also urged the public to use social media responsibly. Citizens are advised not to click on suspicious links or attachments from unknown sources, as these could contain malware or spyware. For example, a malicious file titled “Dance of the Hillary” has been circulating, which is capable of erasing data from mobile devices in just 13 seconds.
Furthermore, the government has called on the public to verify any news before sharing it, particularly amid the ongoing tension. Fact-checking is critical to prevent the spread of misinformation, especially during such sensitive times.
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