India Blocks Dozens of Pakistani YouTube Channels in Major Social Media Crackdown
India has launched a major crackdown on digital platforms, banning over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative and misleading content following a deadly attack in Kashmir that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed the action on Monday, citing national security and public order concerns. The blocked channels include some of Pakistan’s largest media outlets such as Dawn News, Geo News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, Raftar, and Suno News. Attempts to access these channels in India now display a notice: “This content is not available on this country domain due to a legal complaint from the government.”
According to India’s Press Trust (PTI), a government statement said the platforms were deactivated for “disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives, and misinformation aimed at destabilizing India.”
The move follows the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, where gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists — the deadliest civilian assault in the region in 25 years. Indian authorities have accused Pakistan-based groups of orchestrating the violence, though Islamabad has strongly denied any involvement.
In response to rising tensions, the Indian government on Saturday issued a fresh media advisory, urging journalists and content creators to act with “utmost responsibility” when reporting on national security and defense-related developments. The advisory cited past conflicts, including the 1999 Kargil War, warning that the premature release of sensitive information could endanger military operations and national interests.
Meanwhile, social media in India has exploded with anger, with hashtags like #WarWithPakistan and #FinishPakistan trending across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter).
The bans mark one of India’s most extensive digital actions against foreign media and come amid growing scrutiny of online content related to national security. The government has previously warned that social media must not be used to “spread panic or promote hostility.”
As tensions remain high in the region, authorities are expected to continue monitoring online platforms closely for any content deemed to incite unrest or undermine public confidence.
