India Bans 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels and Blocks Defense Minister’s X Account Over Misinformation Allegations



In a significant move amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions following the deadly Pahalgam militant attack, the Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels accused of spreading misinformation and provocative content against India. 

The ban targets prominent Pakistani news outlets including Geo News, Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Bol News, which collectively have over 63 million subscribers.


India's Ministry of Home Affairs recommended the ban, citing that these channels disseminated “false and misleading narratives” aimed at India, its army, and security agencies. 

According to government sources, the banned channels were spreading “provocative and communally sensitive content” that could incite tensions in the already volatile region.


In addition to the YouTube channels, India has also taken action against alleged misinformation on social media by blocking the X account of Pakistan’s Defense Minister. 

The move comes amid allegations that the account was being used to spread false information related to the ongoing conflict and security situation.


The Indian government has also formally communicated its concerns to international media outlets. 

A strong letter was sent to the BBC over its terminology in reporting the Pahalgam attack, objecting to the use of the term “militants” for "terrorists". Similar concerns have been raised with the Associated Press and Reuters, with India's Ministry of External Affairs now closely monitoring their coverage to ensure "factual accuracy".


Security agencies in India have intensified vigilance across Kashmir and strengthened cyber defenses to prevent cyber-attacks allegedly originating from Pakistan based hacker groups. 

Several URLs allegedly linked to misinformation campaigns and fundraising for war efforts have been blocked in recent days.


When users in India attempt to access the banned Pakistani YouTube channels, they encounter a message stating: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order”.


This crackdown follows a series of diplomatic and security measures taken by India after the April 22 militant attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives. 

The attack has further strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, with India blaming Pakistan based groups for orchestrating the assault, a claim Pakistan denies, calling for an independent investigation.


The Indian government’s actions underscore its intent to curb alleged misinformation and propaganda that it believes exacerbate communal tensions and threaten national security in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.


Key banned Pakistani YouTube channels include:

  • Geo News
  • Dawn News
  • ARY News
  • Samaa TV
  • Bol News
  • Suno News
  • Raftar

Notable banned individual creators include Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq.

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