'Anonymous' Hackers Bring Down Pakistan Government Sites: Newspaper

A group of Pakistani hackers temporarily brought down several government portals, including that of the Army, and leaked 23,000 bank records in a bid to support the ongoing anti-government protests in the country - reports a local newspaper.

The group calling themselves "Anonymous Op Pakistan" hacked over two dozen government websites overnight, a few of which remained inaccessible. Some of the hacked websites were defaced, the Dawn reported.

The group is also said to have leaked a zip file containing 23,000 bank records allegedly connected to the government. The zip file contained a document that stated the leak was carried out by ASOR Hack Team.

In numerous online messages, Dawn reports the group to say it was carrying out the attacks for political reasons, in support of the ongoing anti-government protests in the country.

"We will begin at once assisting the peaceful protesters in Pakistan with every tool and tactic at our disposal. And we will initiate the process of removing every vestige of the Pakistan government from the Internet and shutting down their communications network," the group said in an online message.

(Also See: BJP, Prime Minister's Websites Among Most Targeted by Hackers: Party)

"As for the criminal security and military forces who have so barbarically attacked your own people in Pakistan, we will collect evidence of your crimes and deal with you in the time and manner of our choosing," the message said.

Pakistan Army, Air Force, Electronic Media Regulatory Authority and Punjab Government websites are some of the web portals hacked by the group.

Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan are agitating since August 14 against alleged rigging during the last year's general elections.

The political crisis has triggered violent clashes in Islamabad, leaving three persons dead and over 550 injured.