Pakistani National Anthem Broadcast on Indian News Channels After Alleged Cyberattack

New Delhi — India's claims of strong cybersecurity and information technology infrastructure came under scrutiny after unknown hackers allegedly disrupted the live broadcasts of two major Indian television news channels. During a live address by the Indian President, the attackers reportedly gained unauthorized access to the broadcast systems and aired Pakistan's national anthem.

The affected channels reportedly included TV9 Telugu, which has around 14 million social media followers, and Freedom TV Kannada, which has more than one million followers. According to the report, the hackers interrupted the presidential broadcast and displayed Pakistan's flag while playing the national anthem.

The report further claims that a warning message appeared on screen, urging India to avoid any confrontation or escalation with Pakistan.

The incident reportedly caused a prolonged disruption of both channels' broadcasts, leading to widespread discussion across Indian media and social media platforms. Cybersecurity analysts cited in the report described the incident as a serious compromise of the broadcasters' Master Control Room (MCR) systems rather than an ordinary cyber intrusion.

According to the report, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of India's media broadcasting infrastructure and its resilience against cyber threats.

Technology experts quoted in the report say the alleged cyberattack has sparked debate over the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures protecting India's media networks and critical broadcast systems.