Kathmandu, July 1, 2025 A group identifying as “Midnight Ops Nepal” has claimed responsibility for a coordinated cyberattack that defaced several official Nepali government websites. The incident, which highlights growing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in Nepal’s public infrastructure, has prompted calls for urgent action to bolster digital defenses.

Affected Websites

The following government websites were compromised in the attack:

• Agricultural Knowledge Center, Arghakhanchi: akcarghakhanchi.gov.np
• Agricultural Knowledge Center, Saptari: akcsaptari.p2.gov.np
• Agricultural Knowledge Center, Dang: dang.akc.gov.np
• Directorate of Agricultural Research, Khajura, Banke: doarkhajura.narc.gov.np
• Water Supply and Sanitation Office, Nepalgunj, Banke: wssdobanke.lumbini.gov.np
• Agriculture Development Office, Jumla: adojumla.gov.np
• Labour and Employment Office, Dhangadhi: leodhangadhi.gov.np
• District Forest Office, Dang: dfodangghorahi.lumbini.gov.np

Nature of the Attack

The cyberattack involved the defacement of these websites, with the group “Midnight Ops Nepal” altering their content to display unauthorized messages or visuals. While the exact motives behind the attack remain unclear, such incidents often aim to expose security weaknesses, gain notoriety, or push ideological agendas. Authorities are investigating whether sensitive data was compromised during the breach.

Implications and Call for Action

This cyberattack underscores the growing threat to government systems, which are critical for delivering essential services and information to citizens. Tech Aware Nepal, a local advocacy group, has urged media outlets to raise public awareness about the incident. They emphasize the need for stronger cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive public platforms from future attacks.

The defacement of these websites serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and institutions to prioritize cybersecurity. It also highlights the importance of public vigilance and the role of media in informing citizens about such incidents.

Next Steps

Authorities are likely working to restore the affected websites and investigate the breach. In the meantime, the public is advised to exercise caution when accessing government portals and to rely only on verified sources for information.

For further updates, media professionals and the public are encouraged to monitor official government announcements. Tech Aware Nepal has called for a national dialogue on improving cybersecurity infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.

For inquiries or to report additional information, contact Tech Aware Nepal at https://techawarenepal.org/contact-us/