Pahalgam terror attack: India tightens grip on online content from Pakistan

In a major crackdown following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has blocked 16 Pakistan-based YouTube channels accused of spreading communally sensitive content, government sources said.

The action, taken on the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs, comes just days after 26 people lost their lives in the brutal assault in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

Among the platforms banned are YouTube channels belonging to major Pakistani news outlets like Geo News, Dawn, Raftar, Bol News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Suno News. YouTube accounts of prominent journalists including Muneeb Farooq, Umar Cheema, Asma Shirazi, and Irshad Bhatti have also been taken down.

Other banned channels include Uzair Cricket, The Pakistan Reference, Razi Naama, and Samaa Sports. Collectively, these channels had amassed a subscriber base of around 63 million.

According to government sources, these YouTube channels were responsible for disseminating provocative content, spreading misinformation, and pushing narratives targeting India, its military, and security forces.

The move follows heightened tensions between the two countries after the recent terror strike.

The deadly attack took place in the Baisaran meadow area near Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.

It marked one of the most devastating incidents in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack, where 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Since April 23, teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have been stationed at the attack site, intensifying their probe.

Led by an Inspector General, a Deputy Inspector General, and a Superintendent of Police, the NIA teams are actively questioning witnesses to gather crucial evidence regarding the April 22 assault.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army remains on high alert, launching extensive search operations to track down the terrorists involved.

The Pahalgam attack has triggered massive outrage across the country, with protests demanding strong retaliatory measures against Pakistan.