In the latest example of cyber attacks aimed at creating trouble in India amid the tensions with Pakistan, a post on X claimed that supporters of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) vandalised the family home of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi in Karnataka’s Belagavi. Following a warning from police, the post was deleted.
The X profile that posted the claim is named “Anis Uddin” and mentions British Columbia, Canada, as the location. The profile supports Pakistan and features images of Jinnah and top Pakistani military officials. The post alleged an attack on Colonel Qureshi’s family home and included a photo showing a vandalised room.
Police Act Swiftly to Debunk Fake Claims
The moment the Belagavi police saw the post, they sent a team to Colonel Qureshi’s family residence in Gokak. Superintendent of Police Dr. Bheemashankar S Guled confirmed, “This is a fake news. As SP of the Belagavi, I would like to warn the persons involved in creating this post, which is fake, to delete it immediately.” The post was subsequently removed. Authorities also offered security at the house as a measure of precaution.
Colonel Qureshi: National Icon in Making
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a native of Vadodara, Gujarat, is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi from Belagavi. Her in-laws reside at the house wrongfully reported under attack. Her recent emergence as a national icon is for holding her calm better than anyone at Operation Sindoor’s press conference alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh.
BJP veteran BL Santhosh made her a praise on X, “In a matter of 7 days, she is an icon for (the) young generation. Not just by press briefing but by her life and legacy of her family. Daughter of Vadodara, daughter-in-law of Belagavi, Pride of Bharat.”
Wider Cyber Threat Environment
“This misinformation episode came amidst a rise in cyberattacks by Pakistani hackers. Maharashtra cyber police, as per PTI, had detected seven groups responsible for more than 1.5 million attacks on core Indian infrastructure. Only 150 were successful. There was a report, “Road of Sindoor,” which accounted for malware campaigns, GPS spoofing, and DDoS attacks, even on defence-related websites.
Among fabricated stories were claims of power grid failures, missile facility attacks, and satellite jamming. However, Indian authorities quickly debunked many of these narratives. The attack on Colonel Qureshi’s reputation, though short-lived, shows how cyber warfare aims to destabilise morale and unity.
