Fake News Alert: Col. Sofiya Qureshi Targeted in Cyber Attack
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi Targeted by Fake News
In a worrying incident highlighting the potential for online misinformation amidst heightened India-Pakistan tensions, a post on X (formerly Twitter) falsely claimed that supporters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) vandalized the home of Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, India’s newly appointed Army spokesperson. The post, originating from a profile named ‘Anis Uddin’ based in Canada, featured a photo of a ransacked room, suggesting a violent attack.
Police Bust the Hoax
However, swift action by the Karnataka Police quickly debunked the claim. Police were immediately notified about the post and rushed to Colonel Qureshi’s family home in Belagavi’s Gokak. Upon arriving, they found no evidence of any vandalism or attack. Dr Bheemashankar S Guled, the Superintendent of Police for Belagavi, publicly addressed the situation, confirming the post as fake and issuing a warning to those responsible.
Security Measures and Background
As a precautionary measure, police have provided increased security around Colonel Qureshi’s home. Colonel Qureshi, a decorated officer from Vadodara, Gujarat, gained national recognition for her role as the face of the government’s press briefings following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Her courage and composure have made her an inspiration for women across the country.
Widespread Cyber Attacks
This incident comes amidst a wave of cyber attacks targeting India, allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan-allied hackers. According to reports, these attacks have targeted critical infrastructure websites, utilizing various methods like malware campaigns, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, and GPS spoofing. Indian defense-related websites were also defaced during these attacks. The Maharashtra cyber crime police have identified seven groups responsible for over 1.5 million cyber attacks, although only a small percentage were successful.
A Flood of Misinformation
The spread of misinformation surrounding the conflict has also included false claims about attacks on India’s power grid, statewide blackouts, satellite jamming, and even an alleged attack on a BrahMos missile storage facility. These false narratives underscore the importance of verifying information from reliable sources and being cautious of online propaganda.
