Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s ‘X’ account hacked; Pakistan and Turkey flags live-streamed: Report

In a startling breach of digital security, the official X account belonging to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde fell victim to hackers on Sunday, who promptly shared visuals featuring the flags of Pakistan and Turkey, according to an official statement.

The unauthorized access led to the live broadcasting of these national symbols from the two Muslim-majority nations, coinciding precisely with the buildup to India and Pakistan’s second Asia Cup cricket match. This timing amplified the incident’s sensitivity, given the longstanding geopolitical tensions between the neighboring countries.

Authorities responded swiftly to the violation. “We immediately alerted the cyber crime police,” the official recounted. The team responsible for managing the deputy chief minister’s X presence worked urgently to regain control of the compromised handle.

The recovery effort proved efficient, restoring full access within a span of 30 to 45 minutes, the official confirmed. While the motive behind the hack remains under investigation, the episode underscores persistent vulnerabilities in high-profile social media accounts, particularly those of political figures.

No further details on the perpetrators or additional content posted during the brief takeover were immediately available. The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny from cybersecurity units, as officials review logs to trace the intrusion’s origins.