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Published on Wednesday, 27 August 2008
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Written by Sajjad Haider
The Kashmir Observer , one of the most visited websites carrying news about [[Kashmir]], has been hacked several times this week, forcing the website to suspend operations for hours.
The attacks which came after a sudden rise in traffic to the site following the mass uprising in Indian administered Kashmir.
The website, an affiliate of the English language daily Kashmir Observer, is credited for upholding high standards of journalism in conflict-ridden Kashmir. It has been online since 1999.
It remains the main sources of news for the large Kashmiri Diaspora and those interested in the Kashmir conflict worldwide.
In past, the site has also been under attack from what editors at the newspaper call "vested interests fearful of the paper's fearless and objective coverage of events".
Following the government crackdown on pro-independence parties this week the media in Kashmir has not been spared.
None of the dozen odd newspapers have been able to publish for the last four days as severe restrictions were placed on movement of media staff.
The Kashmir Observer was making an attempt to offer a local perspective on the news and, it is at such times, as in the past, that hacking attacks increase.
Note: Report submitted by a journalist working in Kashmir.
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