New Delhi: In a further escalation of tensions following the deadly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam, India has blocked the Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani artists. Actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar were among those whose accounts became inaccessible to users in India on Wednesday evening.
This digital crackdown comes days after the attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. India has squarely blamed Pakistan for the terror incident. Survivors of the attack reported that the terrorists specifically inquired about the victims’ religion before opening fire.
The move to block the artists’ social media accounts follows the Indian government’s earlier decision to ban 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative and communally sensitive content in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack.
Hania Aamir, known for her popularity among Indian audiences through Pakistani dramas, had commented on the Pahalgam tragedy, stating, “My heart is with the innocent lives affected by the recent events. In pain, in grief, and in hope-we are one. When innocent lives are lost, the pain is not theirs alone-it belongs to all of us. No matter where we come from, grief speaks the same language. May we choose humanity, always.”
Mahira Khan, who made her Bollywood debut in the film “Raees” alongside Shah Rukh Khan in 2017, also found her account blocked.
No Pakistani actor has been permitted to work in the Indian film industry since the 2016 terror attack on an Indian army base in Uri.
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, India has implemented a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the closure of the Attari land border crossing, and the downgrading of diplomatic ties, citing Pakistan’s cross-border links to the attack.
Pakistan has retaliated by shutting down its airspace to Indian airliners and suspending all trade with India. Islamabad has also rejected India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any attempt to stop the flow of water would be considered an “act of war.”
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