Sat May 10 01:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Indian News Website Blocked Amidst Heightened Tensions with Pakistan
**NEW DELHI** – The Indian news website, The Wire, reported on May 9th that it has been blocked by internet service providers across India, citing orders from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IT Act, 2000. While access remained available in some areas, the blockage sparked outrage, with The Wire denouncing the move as “blatant censorship” and a violation of press freedom. The website vowed to challenge the decision legally.
The blocking comes a day after X (formerly Twitter) announced that it had been compelled by the Indian government to restrict access to several news outlets and individual accounts, including those of Maktoob Media, The Kashmiriyat, and Free Press Kashmir. X stated that it was instructed to block these accounts without sufficient explanation or evidence of legal violations in many cases, and that it complied to maintain its platform’s operation in India.
These actions follow escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the April 22nd Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. India responded with cross-border strikes, codenamed Operation Sindoor, targeting nine alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan. Both countries have also reported numerous ceasefire violations along the Line of Control. The Indian Army claimed to have successfully repelled recent drone attacks from Pakistan.
The government has yet to officially comment on the blocking of The Wire or the broader restrictions imposed on X. The move raises concerns about freedom of the press and access to information amidst a period of heightened geopolitical tension.
First Piper 