Himachal University Website Hacked, Pro-Pakistan Slogans Displayed

Shimla, July 7:
The official website of Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, was hacked on Monday evening, causing panic among university officials, faculty, and students. Upon accessing the site, users were confronted with pro-Pakistan slogans and anti-India messages displayed across the homepage.

The university administration responded swiftly, placing the website under maintenance mode and immediately notifying the Shimla Cyber Crime Cell. Following the alert, the cyber cell launched an investigation into the breach.

Although the pro-Pakistan slogans were removed shortly after the incident, the website remains non-functional and is yet to be restored fully.

The timing of the hack has caused significant inconvenience for students, as the university is currently in the middle of its postgraduate admissions and counseling process. Merit lists, counseling schedules, and other crucial academic updates were being published online, leaving thousands of students across the state without access to important information.

For many, the HPU website is the primary source of updates—from class schedules and admission notices to semester timelines. Its sudden shutdown has left students in a state of uncertainty and confusion.

DIG Cyber Crime Mohit Chawla confirmed that a detailed investigation is underway. Cybersecurity experts are analyzing the origin of the attack and the possible motives behind it.

Meanwhile, a cyber team from Shimla visited the university campus on Monday to gather preliminary technical data. A specialized cyber commando unit is scheduled to arrive at the university on Tuesday for a comprehensive forensic investigation. Their task will be to determine exactly how the breach occurred and identify those responsible for the cyberattack.