Digital Strike: India bans Pakistani Youtube Channels after Pahalgam terror attack

In a strong retaliatory move following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has banned a host of Pakistani YouTube channels. Government sources confirmed that the channels, including prominent names like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, were blocked on the recommendation of the Ministry of Home Affairs for spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and misinformation against India and its security forces.

The 16 banned channels had a combined subscriber base of around 63 million. The government stated that these platforms were actively disseminating false narratives, particularly after the Pahalgam terror attack, with Islamist terrorists going on a killing spree to hunt non-Muslims particularly Hindus, using ways to do religious profiling.   

Sources reported that the move was prompted to counter the systematic campaigns of misinformation with the objective of destabilizing India’s internal security environment. Through the dissemination of false content against Indian security agencies and the Indian Army, the platforms were seeking to kindle communal tensions and destroy national harmony.

Punitive Actions against Pakistan, with more expected to follow

The decision to ban these channels comes as part of a larger strategic response by India to the terror incident. In addition to the digital strike, India has taken several diplomatic and policy measures against Pakistan. These include the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a significant agreement that has long been a cornerstone of India-Pakistan relations, and the cancellation of visas issued to Pakistani nationals.

Pakistani citizens in India have been instructed to leave within a specified timeframe. Officials emphasized that India’s actions are aimed at sending a clear message to Islamabad against the propagation of terrorism and misinformation. They reiterated that India’s approach will be firm and uncompromising when it comes to protecting national security and public order.

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The Pahalgam terror attack, counted as one of the deadliest recent attacks, has elicited vehement condemnations from domestic and foreign organizations alike. The Indian government’s response constitutes a large-scale initiative that aims not only to respond to the immediate threat of terrorism but also to the general issue of information warfare from abroad. As developments progress, India has signalled that more can be done if there is continued provocation, a stern no-tolerance stance against terrorism and those who abet it.