India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading misinformation after Pahalgam attack

India has banned 16 YouTube channels from Pakistan for spreading communally sensitive and provocative content following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, government sources confirmed. 

The decision, which comes on the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was made just days after 26 people were killed in a terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam area.

Among the banned platforms are YouTube channels of major Pakistani news outlets, including Geo News, Dawn, Raftar, Bol News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Suno News.

In addition, several prominent Pakistani journalists’ channels, such as Muneeb Farooq, Umar Cheema, Asma Shirazi, and Irshad Bhatti, have also been blocked. Other banned handles include Uzair Cricket, The Pakistan Reference, Razi Naama, and Samaa Sports.

Together, the banned channels amassed a total of 63 million subscribers.

Full list of banned Pakistani YouTube channels:

These channels had been spreading false, misleading, and inflammatory content, targeting India, its military, and security agencies. The action comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly attack in Pahalgam, which saw 26 individuals lose their lives in a terrorist strike.

The terror attack occurred on April 22, 2025, in the Baisaran meadow near the popular tourist town of Pahalgam. It has been described as one of the most deadly attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which resulted in the deaths of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel.

In the wake of the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has intensified its investigation. Teams, led by an IG, DIG, and SP from the anti-terror agency, have been stationed at the Pahalgam site since April 23, gathering evidence and questioning eyewitnesses. The Indian Army has also heightened its alert status, conducting multiple search operations to neutralize the terrorists involved in the attack.

The attack has sparked widespread outrage across India, with protests erupting in various parts of the country, calling for stricter measures against Pakistan in light of the incident. The government has vowed to take all necessary actions to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.