New Delhi : The Indian government has banned 16 YouTube channels based in Pakistan for allegedly spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and disseminating misinformation against India, its Army, and security agencies. The decision comes in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left 26 Hindu tourists dead.
Among the banned platforms are prominent Pakistani news outlets such as Dawn, ARY News, Geo News, and the channels operated by journalists Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq. Collectively, these channels had a subscriber base exceeding 63 million.
Authorities stated that the action was taken due to the circulation of false narratives and content aimed at inciting communal tensions within India. Officials reported that the banned channels were actively spreading misleading information related to the Pahalgam attack and India’s internal security matters.
The terror attack on April 22 targeted tourists at the popular Baisaran meadows near Pahalgam. According to investigators, the assailants—reportedly disguised in camouflage—singled out victims by forcing them to recite Islamic verses and subjected them to physical checks to confirm their religious identity before executing them. Most of the victims were identified as Hindu men.
The ban reflects India’s heightened vigilance against foreign-based online propaganda that seeks to disturb communal harmony and national security.
