Thu May 01 06:15:39 UTC 2025: **India Blocks Pakistani Athletes’ Social Media After Pahalgam Attack**
NEW DELHI, May 1, 2025 – In the aftermath of the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, India has blocked the Instagram account of Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem. The move is part of a broader crackdown on Pakistani social media accounts with significant followings in India.
Users in India attempting to access Nadeem’s Instagram account are met with a message indicating the account has been restricted due to a legal request. This action follows the blocking of several Pakistani YouTube channels earlier this week for spreading provocative content, misinformation, and false narratives targeting India and its security forces. Notable figures whose YouTube channels were restricted include former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Shahid Afridi, although their Instagram accounts remain accessible, unlike Nadeem’s. Other prominent Pakistani celebrities, including actors and current cricketers, have also had their Instagram accounts blocked.
The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, prompted the Indian government’s actions. The government cites the dissemination of provocative and misleading content as the reason for the restrictions. Ironically, Nadeem had recently declined an invitation from Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra to compete in an upcoming event in Bengaluru.
First Piper 