India Blocks Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram Amid Rising Tensions Post Pahalgam Attack
In the wake of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region that claimed 26 lives, India has intensified its diplomatic and digital countermeasures against Pakistan. Among the latest developments, Olympic gold medallist and Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account has been blocked in India.
Visitors attempting to access Nadeem’s profile within India are met with a message reading: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.” The action follows a broader clampdown on Pakistani digital presence in India, targeting both individuals and media entities.
The decision comes in the context of sweeping measures announced by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In its response to the Pahalgam attack, the CCS ordered the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari-Wagah border, cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, expulsion of Pakistan’s military attachés from New Delhi, and a reciprocal reduction of diplomatic staff at both nations’ High Commissions.
Last week, Nadeem also declined an invitation from India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra to participate in the inaugural NC Classic athletics event, scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on May 24.
The digital crackdown extends beyond Nadeem. YouTube channels of former Pakistani cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali have also been banned in India. Meanwhile, despite public backlash, the account of former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi — who recently questioned India’s internal security on Pakistani television — remains accessible to Indian users, drawing criticism from various quarters.
In the entertainment sphere, social media accounts of prominent Pakistani artists such as Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar are no longer viewable from India. The Indian government has also blocked access to several Pakistani news and commentary platforms over charges of spreading provocative, misleading, and communally sensitive content.
The banned digital entities include major Pakistani media outlets and influencers such as Dawn News, SAMAA TV, ARY News, BOL News, Geo News, and GNN, along with individual channels like Raftar, Irshad Bhatti, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Muneeb Farooq, Asma Shirazi, SUNO News HD, and Razi Naama.
India’s firm digital and diplomatic push reflects a broader national security stance aimed at countering hostile narratives and influence from across the border, following one of the deadliest attacks in recent years.
