Chinese state-sponsored hackers recently targeted Indian electricity distribution centres near Ladakh, a report by a private intelligence firm said on Wednesday, opening up a new potential flashpoint amid a months-long military standoff between the two countries in the region.

''In recent months, we observed likely network intrusions targeting at least seven Indian State Load Despatch Centres (SLDCs) responsible for carrying out real-time operations for grid control and electricity dispatch within these respective states. Notably, this targeting has been geographically concentrated, with the identified SLDCs located in North India, in proximity to the disputed India-China border in Ladakh," Recorded Future said, according to ndtv.com

Additionally, the private intelligence firm said it had also identified the "compromise of a national emergency response system and the Indian subsidiary of a multinational logistics company" by the same threat activity group.

Recorded Future have said it alerted the government of their findings before publishing the report.

“The prolonged targeting of Indian power grid assets by Chinese state-linked groups offers limited economic espionage or traditional intelligence gathering opportunities,” the Recorded Future report states. “We believe this is instead likely intended to enable information gathering surrounding critical infrastructure and/or pre-positioning for future activity.”

TAG-38, the hacking group, used a kind of malicious software called ShadowPad, which was previously associated with the People's Liberation Army of China.

''The objective for intrusions may include gaining an increased understanding into these complex systems in order to facilitate capability development for future use or gaining sufficient access across the system in preparation for future contingency operations," Recorded Future said.