Centre Bans 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels for Spreading Anti-India Misinformation After Pahalgam Terror Attack

In response to the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, the Indian government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and misinformation targeting India, its armed forces, and security agencies.

The decision, based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), follows a comprehensive review of online content after the attack. Collectively, the banned channels had amassed over 63 million subscribers.

Among the banned channels are some of Pakistan’s most prominent media outlets, including:

• Geo News (18.1 million subscribers)
• Ary News (14.6 million)
• Samaa TV (12.7 million)
• Bol News (7.85 million)
• GNN (3.54 million)
• Dawn News TV (1.96 million)
• Suno News HD (1.36 million)
• Others include Raftar, Irshad Bhatti, The Pakistan Reference, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, and Razi Naama.

When users in India attempt to access these channels, they are met with a message stating that the content is unavailable due to a government order citing concerns over national security or public order.

This action is in line with digital policy enforcement, and users are redirected to Google’s Transparency Report for further information.

Additionally, Indian authorities have raised objections with international media outlets. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed its strong disapproval to BBC India, after the outlet referred to terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack as “militants.”

BBC’s head Jackie Martin was contacted directly through diplomatic channels, and the MEA’s External Publicity (XP) Division will now monitor the BBC’s coverage closely.

Similar objections were also reportedly communicated to Associated Press (AP) and Reuters for what the Indian government perceives as mischaracterization or underplaying of the situation.

Sources further revealed that some Pakistani websites were attempting to deceive Indian citizens by soliciting donations under false pretenses, allegedly for war-related efforts.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) and the MHA have responded by blocking multiple such URLs in the past few days.

In addition, the government has directed all ministries and departments to bolster their cyber infrastructure to defend against possible attacks from Pakistan-based hacker groups.

Following the Pahalgam attack, the Centre had earlier suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals and instructed state authorities to identify and expedite the return of individuals currently in India under various visa categories — including film, journalist, pilgrim, and business.