Sat May 03 01:06:47 UTC 2025: ## India Blocks Instagram Accounts of Pakistani Cricketers After Terror Attack
**NEW DELHI, May 3, 2025** – India has intensified its digital crackdown on Pakistani personalities following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, blocking the Instagram accounts of numerous prominent current and former Pakistani cricketers. The move, announced Friday, affects high-profile figures such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Wasim Akram, and Imran Khan, among others.
Instagram confirmed the restrictions, stating they complied with a legal request from the Indian government citing violations of local laws. While accounts of some Pakistani cricketers, including Waqar Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq, remain accessible in India, the action represents a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries.
This follows earlier restrictions placed on several Pakistani YouTube channels this week, accused of spreading misinformation and provocative content against India. The government cited national security concerns as justification for both actions, linking the restrictions directly to the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The blocking of Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account on Wednesday foreshadowed the wider crackdown. The Indian government’s actions highlight a growing trend of using digital platforms as a battleground in the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict.
First Piper 