SRINAGAR: India thwarted practically 2 lakh cyberattacks concentrating on its energy sector throughout Operation Sindoor final month, Union energy minister Manohar Lal Khattar stated Thursday within the first official govt affirmation of the size of such onslaughts.“With the development of expertise, cyberattacks and cybercrimes have elevated considerably. A whole lot of progress has been made in countering them and our cybersecurity has nearly neutralised such threats,” Khattar stated. He added {that a} energy line in Uri hydel venture had suffered harm as a result of Pakistani shelling however the hyperlink was promptly repaired.Khattar was talking at a information convention in Srinagar, dwelling on a variety of matters, from the Pahalgam assault and water treaties with Pakistan to a debate on preferrred energy-saving AC temperatures.On Indus Waters Treaty, which the Centre has stored in abeyance, Khattar stated the present scenario permits India to maneuver forward with stalled energy initiatives that beforehand required Pakistani consent. Requested about Pakistan’s warning of “harmful penalties” if water flows in rivers below the treaty have been altered, Khattar stated: “Pakistan was already given a reply throughout Operation Sindoor. If wanted, a stronger response will comply with.”Underneath the treaty, India needed to beforehand search Pakistan’s approval earlier than enterprise initiatives on Indus, Jhelum and Chenab. “Now, we don’t want it. We’re restarting the Wullar Barrage venture,” Khattar introduced. The Centre had began the venture within the Eighties to manage water ranges in Kashmir in winter, when river flows skinny, however work was suspended in 1987 after Pakistan objected earlier than Indus Waters Fee.On the April 22 Pahalgam assault, Khattar identified that whereas Pakistan had been supporting terrorists, the Centre was now resolute on not permitting terror. “Terrorism will certainly finish. I wish to congratulate the folks of J&Ok as they’ve stood collectively in opposition to terrorism,” he stated.Requested about calls from CPI(M) for a dialogue with Pakistan, Khattar dominated out such strikes. “Terror and speak is not going to go collectively. Terror and commerce is not going to go collectively. Water and blood is not going to move collectively,” Khattar stated.The ability minister then switched to the raging debate on AC temperatures. He justified his ministry’s plan to make sure AC temperatures are usually not decreased beneath 20 levels Celsius, citing power effectivity objectives worldwide and medical opinion about 24 levels being the perfect temperature.