On Monday, India blocked 18 YouTube channels originating from Pakistan Youtube, accusing them of promoting provocative, communal content and spreading misinformation targeting India. The decision follows the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-supported terrorist brutally killed 26 individuals, the majority of whom were civilians.
Here’s a full list of Pakistani YouTube channels blocked by India:
1- Dawn News
2- Irshad Bhatti
3- SAMAA TV
4- ARY NEWS
5- BOL NEWS
6- Ratar
7- The Pakistan Reference
8- Geo News
9- Samaa Sports Youtube
10- GNN
11- Uzair Cricket
12- Umar Cheema Exclusive
13- Asma Shirazi
14- Muneeb Faroog
15- SUNO News
16- Razi Naama
17- Sana Amzad
18- Arzoo Kazmi
Centre Bans 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels After Pahalgam Terror Attack; Action Taken Against BBC Reporting Too
Following one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, the Indian government has taken a series of strong actions both domestically and internationally. On April 22, Pakistan-backed terrorists unleashed violence in the popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, killing 26 people — most of them tourists — and injuring several others. The attack, reminiscent of the 2019 Pulwama tragedy where 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives, has led to nationwide outrage and widespread protests demanding stringent action against Pakistan.
In a swift response to the escalating tensions, the Centre on Monday announced a ban on 18 Pakistani YouTube channels, including major news outlets such as Dawn News, ARY News, Geo News, Samaa TV, BOL News, and GNN. According to senior officials, these channels were found guilty of spreading provocative, communally sensitive content, misinformation, and anti-India narratives targeting the Indian Army and security forces.
The banned YouTube channels, which collectively amassed over 63 million subscribers, also included individual accounts such as Irshad Bhatti, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, Suno News HD, Razi Naama, and The Pakistan Reference. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, acting on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), carried out the crackdown. These channels are no longer accessible within India.
“The action was deemed necessary to prevent the dissemination of false, inflammatory content that sought to disrupt communal harmony and tarnish the image of India’s security agencies,” a senior government official said on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, Pakistani troops intensified ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch and Kupwara sectors. For the fourth consecutive night, Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked small-arms fire, further escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad. Army officials confirmed that Indian forces were giving a strong and calibrated response to the cross-border firing.
Adding to the diplomatic offensive, the Indian government has also taken strong objection to the BBC’s coverage of the Pahalgam terror attack. The Ministry of External Affairs’ XP Division has formally written to Jackie Martin, BBC’s India Head, expressing India’s displeasure over the channel’s portrayal of terrorists as militants. Officials confirmed that a warning has been issued and BBC’s further reporting will be closely monitored.
“The BBC was advised to maintain journalistic responsibility, especially when reporting on acts of terrorism,” an officer familiar with the development said.
Further intensifying its measures, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) and has ordered the removal of Pakistani nationals residing in various parts of the country. These moves come amid continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan, with Indian troops retaliating strongly over the past three days.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, condemned the brutal attack in Pahalgam and assured the public that those behind the violence would be hunted down and punished. “India will never forget the sacrifice of the innocents. Justice will be delivered,” PM Modi declared.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the probe into the Pahalgam attack. Investigators have already begun interrogating several overground workers and jailed terrorists believed to have links to the group that orchestrated the strike. Sources within the NIA indicated that preliminary findings suggest significant cross-border coordination, pointing towards direct involvement of Pakistan-based terror outfits.
The crackdown on Pakistani YouTube channels is seen as a larger strategy by the Indian government to counter propaganda warfare waged from across the border. Officials stated that any additional channels or social media accounts found indulging in similar activities would face immediate action.
“The government is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the nation, both on the ground and in the digital space,” a senior information and broadcasting official emphasized.
As tensions continue to rise, India’s diplomatic, military, and cyber fronts remain on high alert. With global powers also condemning the Pahalgam attack, pressure is mounting on Pakistan to curb terrorism emanating from its soil. However, given the recent provocations along the LoC and the spread of disinformation online, the path to peace appears more challenging than ever.
