2 lakh cyberattacks on power units foiled during Operation Sindoor: Union minister Manohar Lal Khattar | India News

SRINAGAR: India thwarted almost 2 lakh cyberattacks concentrating on its power sector during Operation Sindoor final month, Union power minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated Thursday within the first official govt affirmation of the size of such onslaughts.“With the advancement of technology, cyberattacks and cybercrimes have increased significantly. A lot of progress has been made in countering them and our cybersecurity has virtually neutralised such threats,” Khattar stated. He added {that a} power line in Uri hydel undertaking had suffered harm on account of Pakistani shelling however the hyperlink was promptly repaired.Khattar was talking at a information convention in Srinagar, dwelling on a variety of subjects, from the Pahalgam assault and water treaties with Pakistan to a debate on perfect energy-saving AC temperatures.On Indus Waters Treaty, which the Centre has stored in abeyance, Khattar stated the present state of affairs permits India to maneuver forward with stalled power tasks that beforehand required Pakistani consent. Asked about Pakistan’s warning of “dangerous consequences” if water flows in rivers below the treaty had been altered, Khattar stated: “Pakistan was already given a reply during Operation Sindoor. If needed, a stronger response will follow.”Under the treaty, India needed to beforehand search Pakistan’s approval earlier than enterprise tasks on Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. “Now, we don’t need it. We are restarting the Wullar Barrage project,” Khattar introduced. The Centre had began the undertaking within the Nineteen Eighties to control water ranges in Kashmir in winter, when river flows skinny, however work was suspended in 1987 after Pakistan objected earlier than Indus Waters Commission.On the April 22 Pahalgam assault, Khattar identified that whereas Pakistan had been supporting terrorists, the Centre was now resolute on not permitting terror. “Terrorism will definitely end. I would like to congratulate the people of J&K as they have stood together against terrorism,” he stated.Asked about calls from CPI(M) for a dialogue with Pakistan, Khattar dominated out such strikes. “Terror and talk will not go together. Terror and trade will not go together. Water and blood will not flow together,” Khattar stated.The power minister then switched to the raging debate on AC temperatures. He justified his ministry’s plan to make sure AC temperatures will not be decreased beneath 20 levels Celsius, citing power effectivity targets worldwide and medical opinion about 24 levels being the perfect temperature.