摘要：Cyber warfare against critical infrastructure of a target is something which has become a staple of aggressive nations’ hybrid warfare program, and it is expected to take place between major superpowers i.e. Russia, China and the US in the long term. On a smaller scale, neighbor’s with particularly severe political and diplomatic relations such as Pakistan and India may find themselves involved in an exchange of this sort on a more frequent, short term basis. In Pakistan, we are certainly aware of the nearly 70 years old hostility of several Indian governments against this nation and its mandate, and security thinkers have now become aware of the new paradigm of hybrid warfare, consisting of usage of non-linear attack methods aimed at destabilising Pakistan and its national infrastructure. For nations whose leadership are accustomed to lengthy, strategic planning, and initiating covert, multi-layered plans co-coordinating multiple assets against numerous targets, the current digital age is relatively easy to handle. However, nations less adept at spycraft and manipulation, and whose belief is in international law, international agreements, or the words which are openly expressed in diplomatic exchanges; expecting, handling and deflecting subtle coercion in the cyber-realm is something of a challenge. With reference to India, it may be observed that their particular brand of HW is mainly emotionally triggered, and not specifically clinical. Rather than targeting Pakistan at the core of its existence and manipulating events in order to completely shut down the state from functioning, it chooses to pursue a line of aggravation and intrigue; including a few incidents along the border, refusing diplomatic talks, sending across fighter jets to test air defence capabilities, sending spies to trigger bomb attacks, and most often, a media/cultural line which consists of using news and television to imprint a negative image of Pakistan on the global subconscious, aimed at isolating the country from any potential partners, investors or allies..
