International: In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, India has taken strong digital action by withholding the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif within its territory. This move is part of a broader crackdown on cross-border propaganda and online content seen as a threat to national security.
The Indian government on Monday also banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of disseminating provocative and communal misinformation, along with anti-Army narratives. These channels had a combined subscriber base exceeding 63 million, significantly amplifying their reach.
The restriction on Asif’s X account comes after widespread circulation of an interview clip where he allegedly admitted Pakistan’s past involvement in supporting terror groups. In the clip — part of a conversation with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim — Asif did not deny Pakistan’s history of training extremist outfits, a response many have interpreted as a veiled confirmation of long-standing allegations.
The interview has triggered outrage across Indian social media platforms, bolstering calls for stricter scrutiny of foreign digital influence, especially from Pakistan. Officials say the actions are meant to ensure that content capable of inciting unrest or undermining India’s security apparatus does not go unchecked.
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