In response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, which together had a subscriber base of around 63 million. The Union Home Ministry recommended the action, citing concerns over the spread of inflammatory and misleading narratives that could disturb communal harmony.

The list of banned platforms features prominent Pakistani media organizations such as Dawn, ARY News, Bol News, Geo News, Raftar, Samaa TV, and Suno News. Additionally, personal YouTube channels run by journalists including Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq were also taken down. Channels like The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama have also been restricted.

Authorities have accused these channels of circulating misinformation, spreading false narratives about India’s armed forces and security agencies, and provoking tensions following the tragedy in which 25 tourists and a local Kashmiri citizen lost their lives to terrorist gunfire.

Users trying to visit these YouTube pages in India are now greeted with a message indicating the content is blocked in the country due to government orders concerning national security or public order. Further details are available on Google’s Transparency Report portal.

India strengthens diplomatic response

Following the Pahalgam incident, India has taken a tougher diplomatic stand against Pakistan. New Delhi has put a hold on the Indus Waters Treaty and suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, Islamabad has responded by suggesting it might review other bilateral agreements, including the historic Simla Agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, vowed that those behind the attack would face unprecedented consequences. Emphasizing the resilience of India’s spirit, he declared that the willpower of 140 crore citizens would defeat terrorism and dismantle any remaining terror safe havens.

He remarked, “This brutal attack was not merely an assault on tourists but an attack on India’s very soul. The time has come to wipe out what remains of the terrorist infrastructure.”

BBC cautioned over controversial Kashmir coverage

Meanwhile, the Indian government has also conveyed a strong objection to BBC over its reporting related to the Pahalgam attack. Officials objected to a headline that read, “Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists,” arguing it could mislead readers about the nature of the attack.

India’s External Publicity Division has formally expressed displeasure to BBC India’s chief, Jackie Martin. Additionally, a letter was sent criticizing BBC’s usage of terms such as “militants” instead of “terrorists” when referring to the perpetrators. Sources said India’s monitoring of BBC’s future reportage would be intensified.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated once again following a fresh ceasefire violation by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials confirmed that for the fourth consecutive night, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing, drawing a strong response from the Indian Army.

The Indian Army stated that during the night of April 27-28, Pakistani posts initiated small arms fire across the LoC, targeting areas opposite Kupwara and Poonch districts. The army’s retaliation was described as “swift and effective.”

This incident marks the first targeted ceasefire breach by Pakistan in the sensitive Poonch sector. The latest exchange of fire follows a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, last Tuesday, which claimed 26 lives.

The attack has severely strained diplomatic ties between the two countries, especially after it was linked to a terror group associated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Officials described it as the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama tragedy.

In response, India has taken decisive measures, including the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the long-standing Indus Waters Treaty, and closure of the Attari land-transit route. These actions were approved during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee of Security chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Prime Minister has pledged that all terrorists and their supporters responsible for the Pahalgam attack will be “identified, tracked, and punished.”

Pakistan, on the other hand, retaliated by suspending all existing bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement.

Meanwhile, the police have intensified efforts to track down the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. Sketches of three suspects have been released: Hashim Musa alias Suleman and Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, both residents of Pakistan, and Adil Hussain Thoker, a native of Anantnag district. A reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for credible information leading to their capture.

During his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Sachet app, an innovative alert system developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

Rolled out across India, Sachet harnesses geo-intelligence to provide near-instantaneous disaster warnings through diverse channels like SMS, web browser notifications, and RSS feeds.

The app’s website advises users to stay alert for SMS alerts marked with the “XX-NDMAEW” header. Beyond disaster alerts, Sachet offers weather updates and allows users to track multiple locations, delivering notifications directly to desktops or laptops. Subscribed entities, such as news outlets, can access alerts via RSS feeds to amplify public warnings.

The app has gained significant traction, with roughly 5.4 crore downloads in Uttar Pradesh, 4.6 crore in Delhi, and 1.1 crore in Maharashtra, underscoring its vital role in bolstering disaster readiness.

Modi praised Sachet as a testament to India’s use of technology to empower citizens, ensuring timely information to mitigate risks during emergencies.

The Prime Minister also addressed the tragic Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, which claimed 26 lives, predominantly tourists, in the tranquil Baisaran valley.

The investigation has been handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), with the Ministry of Home Affairs urging a swift probe into one of the region’s most lethal civilian attacks in nearly two decades.

The NIA, in a press release, outlined its approach: “Under the supervision of senior officers, including an Inspector General, Deputy Inspector General, and Superintendent of Police, our teams are meticulously interviewing eyewitnesses to piece together the chilling sequence of events.”

The agency is delving into granular details to identify the culprits, linked to The Resistance Front, an affiliate of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. As the NIA intensifies its efforts, the focus remains on securing justice and fortifying security, especially with the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to commence on July 3, a time when Kashmir expects a surge in visitors.