India Restricts Access to Stock Exchange Websites Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Amid rising military tensions with Pakistan, India has temporarily blocked international access to the websites of its two leading stock exchanges, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) as a precaution against potential cyberattacks.
The move follows India's military strikes inside Pakistan on Wednesday, in retaliation for last month’s deadly attack on Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir. As fears grow that Islamabad may launch cyber offensives in response, Indian authorities are tightening digital defenses.
Sources told Reuters that the restriction came after a joint exchange meeting on Tuesday where cyber threat scenarios were discussed. Although a BSE spokesperson acknowledged the cyber risk, they did not confirm whether any recent attack had occurred.
This action comes during a period of high alert between the nuclear-armed neighbors. However, the sources did not directly connect the cyber precaution to the latest conflict escalation.
According to one insider, the access limits are precautionary, and Indian markets continue to operate normally.
“Given the sensitivity of the environment, exchanges have taken steps purely out of caution,” the source said.
The BSE confirmed its proactive stance in a statement:
“As a critical market infrastructure institution, BSE constantly monitors domestic and international cyber risks. Based on ongoing traffic assessments, we have restricted website access to certain locations to safeguard users and systems,” a spokesperson said, noting that access is now being allowed selectively.
So far, no confirmed cyberattacks on infrastructure in either India or Pakistan have been reported. However, Indian media has claimed a surge in attempted intrusions originating from Pakistan.
For example, a newly created X (formerly Twitter) account named Pakistan Cyber Force claims to have hacked into sensitive Indian defense institutions, including the Military Engineering Service and the Manohar Parrikar Institute. The latter has denied the breach.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Cyber Emergency Response Team has issued a formal advisory, warning of rising cyber threats and misinformation campaigns targeting critical infrastructure.
“Hostile actors are exploiting current tensions to spread disinformation and launch cyberattacks on vital sectors,” the advisory stated. “Their aim is to create chaos and capitalize on the instability at the Line of Control.”
Wednesday’s missile exchanges mark a significant escalation in a fraught relationship between the two countries, which have fought several wars since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947.
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