Has Pakistan’s code-based warfare secured a decisive victory?

By Ahmad Manzoor

Gone are the days when modern battlefield was fought only with missiles and machines, it’s now waged in codes, clicks, and competing narratives. Pakistan’s recent digital triumph over India revealed a new reality: cyber dominance, narrative control, and digital resilience can deliver victories once reserved for military might. By turning technology into its sharpest defensive weapon, Pakistan has shown how a smaller nation can outthink and outmaneuver its rival in the arena of modern warfare.

The technology battlefield: 5GW demystified

The modern warfare domain of 5GW unites technological systems with cyber warfare capabilities and information management and proxy operations into a unified combat zone. Modern warfare takes place through digital networks which include servers and media platforms and cognitive domains and network infrastructure. Victory now depends on the ability to penetrate systems and disrupt and acquire intelligence through cyber operations represents the first element of success in modern warfare. A defensive system requires deep protection through segmented networks and backup systems and strong architectural design.

Secondly the state should have the ability to shape media narratives through disinformation and counterclaims and media manipulation gives control over public perception. The strategic use of technology enables nations to enhance their diplomatic power and economic leverage and legal influence. Network domain control functions as a vital strategic asset which matches the importance of territorial control in traditional warfare.

State-level organisations must prioritise cybersecurity because it stands as their most vital defensive measure. A successful cyberattack against critical infrastructure and command systems and communications networks and intelligence systems and logistics and transportation systems and state databases and decision systems would produce effects similar to those of a physical military assault.

The consequences of a cyberattack according to technological literature produce effects that match those of military attacks against critical infrastructure. The primary objective of command & control systems (C3I) makes them vulnerable to attack because such breaches can create decision-making confusion and battlefield disorganization and generate incorrect orders. Academic studies show that C3I systems need absolute protection because digital warfare transforms the battlefield into an area of cyber-based sabotage.

Modern statecraft and military operations require cybersecurity to function as their essential core foundation.

Pakistan demonstrated its technological superiority during the conflict

Cyber campaign during “Operation Sindoor”

Operation Sindoor which India had launched as a hybrid military operation received digital countermeasures from Pakistan. Pakistani cyber operatives conducted multiple cyberattacks against Indian web-based systems as seven Pakistan-linked APT and hacktivist groups conducted 1.5 million cyberattacks against Indian web infrastructure according to Maharashtra Cyber reports although only 150 attacks succeeded at a rate of 0.01 %.

The Pakistani military effectively countered India’s exaggerated claims of large-scale cyber breaches by shaping a strategic narrative that highlighted the futility of Indian aggression and the strength of Pakistan’s cyber defenses. Independent investigations and security analyses later confirmed that most of the reported attacks were minor incidents or inflated claims. Cybersecurity firms, including CloudSEK, noted that the real impact was limited to a few targeted network intrusions, where APT36 deployed the Crimson RAT malware to scan segments of India’s defense infrastructure, far from the widespread damage initially suggested by Indian sources.

The limited number of successful intrusions proved to be crucial for the operation’s success. The attackers used their knowledge of system vulnerabilities to gather intelligence while creating obstacles for their opponents through stealthy operations.

The Linux operating system and advanced system exploitation techniques have become central to Pakistan’s growing cyber capabilities. Over time, Pakistani cyber operators have steadily enhanced their technical proficiency and strategic precision. One notable example was the APT36 campaign, which targeted Indian government networks running the BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions) Linux distribution. By breaching a platform specifically developed for official Indian use, the attackers showcased Pakistan’s ability to move beyond traditional Windows-based exploits and penetrate deeper into the digital infrastructure of its adversary, signaling a new level of sophistication in its cyber operations.

The advancement shows Pakistan’s growing technical sophistication because it enables penetration of less secure systems while staying hidden from detection across multiple platforms. The strategic choice to attack weak points in the system became a key element of their cyber warfare strategy.

The forensic and detection pivot

The initial victory for Pakistan emerged from its preparedness to detect and analyse cyber incidents. Pakistan dedicated resources to build up its telemetry capabilities and implemented continuous logging systems and intrusion detection systems and threat intelligence platforms and automated response tools. The digital command centers of Pakistan deployed custom rulesets and behavior analytics and telemetry agents which enabled real-time detection of RAT signatures and lateral movement and privilege escalation attempts and suspicious system anomalies.

A recent malware campaign analysis of Operation Sindoor presents new scholarly work which develops frameworks that use telemetry data and detection rules to detect remote access Trojan (RAT) activities. The fast response of Pakistan to these signals resulted in blocking numerous APT probes before they could create any damage.

The cybersecurity measures of Pakistan transformed potential cyber attacks into warning signals which prevented major disasters from occurring.

Pakistan’s victory in the digital domain emerged through a blend of technological sophistication and strategic storytelling. Its defense systems turned incoming cyberattacks into sources of intelligence, exposing India’s exaggerated claims and forcing New Delhi and its allies to justify their transparency and attribution methods. As the situation evolved, India’s credibility as the dominant actor weakened, as it struggled to substantiate its assertions.

Rather than relying on large-scale assaults, Pakistan adopted a focused strategy, disrupting decision-making nodes, communication lines, and data transfer pathways to slow information flow and create confusion within Indian systems. Limited but precise intrusions gained amplified impact, while India’s broader campaigns failed to achieve tangible results.

Within the regional cyber community, Pakistan’s image shifted from a passive target to a capable and proactive cyber power. Its military and intelligence institutions enhanced their credibility by publicly sharing technical evidence, detection logs, trace routes, and intercepted data—that contrasted sharply with India’s unverified claims.

By maintaining a defensive yet assertive stance, Pakistan successfully projected India as the aggressor misusing cyber operations for influence. Independent analyses later supported Pakistan’s position, as most of India’s alleged “victories” lacked forensic proof. Through disciplined digital diplomacy and transparent communication, Pakistan not only dismantled India’s narrative but also achieved a moral and strategic edge in the evolving theater of cyber warfare.

Technological Lessons & Pakistan’s Next Moves

1. Strengthen Zero Trust Systems
Pakistan’s modular defense model worked because it limited attackers’ movement across networks. Adopting a Zero Trust architecture and micro-segmentation will further ensure that every connection is verified and attackers cannot spread after breaching one system.

2. Invest in AI and Anomaly Detection
As adversaries use AI for phishing and deepfakes, Pakistan must develop AI/ML-driven tools to spot abnormal activity, detect insider threats, and launch automatic responses. Reports warn that AI-powered disinformation is becoming a key national security challenge.

3. Secure C3I Infrastructure
Pakistan should prioritize protecting Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) systems through encryption, isolated backups, and frequent penetration testing, as breaches in C3I remain among the most severe cyber threats.

4. Develop a Unified Cyber Doctrine
A state-level cyber strategy should integrate defense and offense, outlining clear retaliation policies, escalation limits, and coordinated responses linking detection, operations, and information campaigns.

5. Strengthen Global Cyber Engagement
Pakistan must remain active in international cyber policy forums to shape rules on attribution, cyber conflict, and state responsibility—building credibility while deterring false or exaggerated accusations.

Lastly, the recent fifth-generation warfare display by Pakistan demonstrated to the world how technology combined with resilience and strategic communication can transform existing power dynamics in modern warfare. Through its defensive operations against Indian cyber attacks and its stealthy precise operations and its control of the narrative battlefield Pakistan achieved victory instead of mere survival.

The modern battlefield now focuses on battles for territorial control and memory preservation and influence and digital information dominance. Pakistan has emerged victorious in this digital domain through strategic thinking because code-based commitment leads to victory without needing physical battles.

Ahmad Manzoor is the Founder and CEO of the Pakistan Blockchain Research Center and a globally recognised technologist with over 25 years of experience in ICT, blockchain innovation, and digital transformation leadership.