Chinese Hackers Targeted Power Grid Near Ladakh: Report

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New Delhi: Suspected state-backed Chinese hackers targeted India’s electricity network near Ladakh in recent months, according to a report by private intelligence firm Recorded Future, Bloomberg and NDTV reported.

The hackers targeted at least seven Indian State Load Despatch Centres (SLDCs), responsible for carrying out real-time operations for grid control and electricity dispatch, located in North India, in proximity to the India-China border in Ladakh, the group said.

The attacks took place between August last year and this March.

The hackers also tried to compromise a national emergency response system and a subsidiary of a multinational logistics company, Recorded Future said.

The hacking group, TAG-38, used malicious software ShadowPad, previously associated with China’s People’s Liberation Army and Ministry of State Security, according to Recorded Future.

One of the load dispatch centres previously was the target of another hacking group, RedEcho, which Recorded Future said shares “strong overlaps” with a hacking group that the US has tied to the Chinese government.