India Bans 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels For Spreading Misinformation After Pahalgam Terror Attack

India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels that were disseminating communally sensitive material in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, according to government sources.

The decision was made following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs, just days after 26 individuals lost their lives in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Photo Credit: PTI

The blocked platforms include the YouTube channels of major news organisations such as Geo News, Dawn, Raftar, Bol News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Suno News.

Additionally, the YouTube accounts of notable journalists including Muneeb Farooq, Umar Cheema, Asma Shirazi, and Irshad Bhatti were also banned.

Other affected channels include Uzair Cricket, The Pakistan Reference, Razi Naama, and Samaa Sports.

Collectively, these channels had amassed 63 million subscribers.

Government sources stated that the banned channels were circulating provocative and communally charged content, as well as false narratives and misinformation aimed at India, its armed forces, and security agencies.

This action comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two countries following the tragedy in Pahalgam, where terrorists brutally murdered 26 people.

Pahalgam Terror Attack

The attack took place in Baisaran meadow, near the renowned tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. It is considered one of the deadliest assaults in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed 40 personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), present at the Pahalgam attack site since 23 April, have intensified efforts to gather evidence.

The investigation is being overseen by senior officers including an Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, and Superintendent of Police from the counter-terrorism agency, who are questioning eyewitnesses to the 22 April incident.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army remains on high alert and has launched multiple search operations to neutralise the terrorists involved.

The attack has triggered widespread outrage across India, with citizens demanding tougher measures against Pakistan in response to the Pahalgam tragedy.