Action Follows Pahalgam Terror Attack; Channels Accused of Targeting National Security and Public Order
New Delhi, April 28, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant move to counter the spread of disinformation and safeguard national security, the Government of India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels. These channels have been found to be disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives specifically targeting India, its Army, and security agencies.
The decision to impose the ban was based on strong recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs, triggered by the recent tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The banned YouTube channels include prominent Pakistani news outlets and individual content creators: Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.
Investigations revealed that these 16 YouTube channels were actively involved in spreading disinformation related to critical aspects of India’s national security, its foreign relations, and the maintenance of public order. Collectively, these digital platforms commanded a substantial viewership of over 6.3080 crore, amplifying the reach and potential impact of their misleading content.
According to an official statement released by the Indian government, these channels were engaged in posting fake and unverified information with the explicit aim of creating panic among the Indian populace, inciting communal disharmony, and disrupting public order within the country. A significant portion of this false content specifically targeted sensitive subjects such as the Indian Army, the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s diplomatic relations in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a related development, India had previously withheld the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Government of Pakistan following the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 26 innocent civilians and left several others injured.
The banning of these YouTube channels and the withholding of the Pakistani government’s X handle are part of a series of strong retaliatory actions initiated by India after Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the Pahalgam assault as a “cowardly attack on innocent civilians.”
The terror attack, orchestrated by the Pakistan-based terrorist organization The Resistance Front, has led to a sharp escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan.
In a decisive response to the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Modi, announced a range of stringent measures aimed at Pakistan. These measures include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari-Wagah border, the cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, the expulsion of Pakistan’s military attaches stationed in New Delhi, and a significant reduction in diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.
FAQs:
- Why did India ban these Pakistani YouTube channels?
India banned these 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India’s national security, Army, and foreign relations. The decision was linked to the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.
- Which YouTube channels were banned?
The banned channels include Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.
- What was the impact of these channels?
Collectively, these channels had a viewership of over 6.3080 crore and were accused of spreading fake news to create panic, incite communal disharmony, and disturb public order in India.
- Was this action related to the Pahalgam terror attack?
Yes, the decision was taken by the Indian government based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs following the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir.
- What other actions has India taken against Pakistan after the Pahalgam attack?
Other actions include withholding the official X handle of the Government of Pakistan, summoning Pakistan’s top diplomat, issuing a Persona Non Grata note for Pakistani military attaches, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari-Wagah border, canceling the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, and reducing diplomatic staff at both High Commissions.
- Who claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack?
The attack was orchestrated by The Resistance Front, a Pakistan-based terrorist organization.
