JOHANNESBURG, June 1: Information technologists have blamed international computer vandals for the biggest online attack this year in South Africa, the Star newspaper said on Tuesday.

The attack caused over 70 local websites to crash at the weekend, according to the report. A Pakistan-based group, the Federal Bureau of Hackers (FBH), has been identified as one of the culprits, Reinhardt Buys, an information technology expert told the newspaper.

The group has in the past carried out well-publicized, online attacks targeting American, Israeli and Indian websites, the report said. "The fact that a Pakistani group of hackers is active in South Africa is truly worrying.

Federal Bureau of Hackers seems to promote a political agenda through hacking and related activities," said Buys. Less is known about another group called "DIabOlaX" that is believed to have hacked into and defaced 72 South African websites at the weekend, the report said. -dpa