Indian and Pakistani hackers at peace

A few years ago, Indian and Pakistani hacker groups had launched an online war against each other.  Every day, techies from both countries used to logon and bring down or deface websites in each other’s countries.  By all accounts, the Indian and Pakistani Governments were not involved and this was the work of individuals and hacker groups.
Then on Nov 30, 2008 a statement was published in some blogs that the Indian and Pakistani hackers had made peace and decided not to attack each other.  The hacker cyber peace deal held up till July, 2010 but it seems that there is a new risk of cyber war between tech savvy computer specialists from both countries.  By all accounts, this is a war between individuals and groups rather than Government sanctioned hacker attacks.On Aug 15, 2010, the website of high profile Indian businessman, politician and IPL team owner, Vijay Mallya, was defaced by Pakistani hackers who left flags and pro Pakistan text on the compromised site. Vijay Mallya is a media natural and was soon on Times, CNN and every media house that wanted his views on his personal website being attacked.  It even made it to the prime news time.  No Indian mainstream media mentioned the fact that Pakistani sites were also attacked.But it seems that Indian hackers have also done the same thing.  An Indian ethical hacker has compiled a list of sites hacked in both India and Pakistan over the weekend and it seems that hundreds of Pakistani sites went down.  The Pakistan attack was lead by Pak Cyber Army and PakHaxors while Indian hacker groups Indishell and Indian Cyber Army lead the attack or counter attack.Are we witnessing the start of another hacking war between the two countries?

Indo Pak Cyber deal holds
A few years ago, Indian and Pakistani hacker groups had launched an online war against each other.  Every day, techies from both countries used to logon and bring down or deface websites in each others countries.  By all accounts, the Indian and Pakistani Governments were not involved and this was the work of individuals and hacker groups.
Then on Nov 30, 2008 a statement was published in some blogs that the Indian and Pakistani hackers had made peace and decided not to attack each other.  In a joint statement to Chowrangi.com, PCA (Pakistan Cyber Army), Zombie_ksa (PAKbugs) and ICW (Indian Cyber Warriors and Hindu Militant Group) said they had made peace. (Full story at end of this article).
The cross border hacker peace treaty held well over the last few years.  Then the dynamics changed in early July, 2010 when the Pakistani Government arrested most members of the high profile Pakistani hacking group PAKbugs.  The Pakistan Government claims that they clamped down on PAKbugs due to complaints from within their own country.  Even as the Pakistan Government arrested PAKbugs, about 130 Pakistani sites were hacked.
Could Indian techies be mistakenly blamed for the hacking of 130 Pakistani sites?  No one was sure but the situation had all the ingredients of suspicion and misunderstanding and could blow up into another hacker war on the internet.
But if you needed more proof that there are many people in both Pakistan and India who want peace and good neighbourly relations, it came in the form of a statement by powerful Pakistani hacking collective PCA (Pakistan Cyber Army).  They toldpropakistani
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“Message from Pakistan Cyber Army on arrest of Pakbugs Members
If anyone has doubt that we are not the one who defaced ONGC then get a life first. If people have forgotten, then we are the same guys who defaced ONGC in response to the attack on OGRA. After which we did a peace deal with the groups involved on both sides of borders including “Pakbugs” and “ICW” but kids didn’t keep their promise and got arrested.
We told PakBugs many (many, many, many) times to not to deface/destroy Pakistani websites and infrastructure. We told them to take FIA and NR3C seriously – as these agencies are not bunch of NOOBS, we had warned Pakbugs that you people don’t know about the power and the resources that NR3C has got but they gave a damn to our words and ended up in their custody.
I feel sad about the kids but… it happened due to their carelessness and childish attitude, which eventually landed them in the jail.
If you people are upcoming hackers and don’t know about Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance then go and read it on NR3C website. I fear that Pakbugs would have a jail of 7 years if they got trialed and if FIA bail them out with some punishment they should thank Allah and concentrate on their studies.
We always told Jawad (HUMZA) and other kids about the consequences that they may face if arrested. [Jawad correct me if I am wrong].
Request to FIA/NR3C
“It is our humble request to FIA (NR3C) authorities to consider the case realistically and don’t give the kids the capital punishment as they are kids and can improve if given a chance. If they get the capital punishment as mentioned in Prevention of Electronic Crimes Ordinance, then their future will be ruined. Sir, these are our kids and our force if given a direction“
Message for upcoming Hackers
Our message to upcoming hackers or people who are interested in this field is that there is nothing bad to have the knowledge of hacking or hacking techniques, what’s bad is the usage of such knowledge and skill against our own country, national and international organizations or departments – that may cause damage to our country and its repute in the world.  Don’t push your efforts to get famous. The fame will come with time.