The group of hackers who call themselves ‘Indian Cyber Force’ informed on Telegram, Twitter, and other social media accounts that the official website of Canadian Armed Forces viz http://www.forces.ca website had been taken down.
In a striking display of cyber aptitude, a group identifying itself as “Indian Cyber Force” has proudly claimed responsibility for a recent cyber attack that temporarily disabled the website of the Canadian Armed Forces. The audacious hackers, named Indian Cyber Force, not only shared screenshots with the world through platforms like Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) but also prophesised that their breach would persist for precisely two hours—a prophecy that chillingly came to pass, as confirmed by the Canadian newspaper, Globe and Mail.
In response to this digital skirmish, Daniel Le Bouthillier, the head of media relations at the Department of National Defence, conveyed that the disruptive incident had its initiation around noon on Wednesday but was subsequently rectified later in the afternoon. Notably, the breach targeted a website that operates separately and independently from the Government of Canada and the Department of National Defence’s public websites and internal networks. Le Bouthillier reassured that there was no evidence suggesting broader repercussions on their systems, offering a glimmer of relief in the aftermath of this brazen intrusion.
This cyber attack unfolds against the backdrop of a recent advisory issued by Canada’s intelligence agency, the Communications Security Establishment (CSE). The CSE had warned information and technology administrators about an impending surge in cyberattacks, citing the correlation between geopolitical events and escalating digital offensives. The intelligence agency emphasised the need for heightened vigilance in the face of such cyber campaigns.
Significantly, the Indian Cyber Force had issued ominous threats to Canada on September 20, cautioning the nation to “get ready to feel the power” of their attacks. Two days later, they expressed their ire, accusing the Canadian government of exceeding the boundaries with their “allegations and anti-India politics.” This simmering tension on the digital front reflects the broader strain in relations between Ottawa and New Delhi, which have deteriorated notably since Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly implicated agents of the Indian government in the assassination of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a Canadian citizen—in British Columbia. It is worth noting that India vehemently denied any involvement in the incident, deepening the diplomatic rift between the two nations.
