In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has been withheld in India.
This move follows India’s decision on Monday to ban 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, accusing them of spreading provocative content, misinformation, and anti-India propaganda, especially targeting the Indian Army and security agencies. Together, these banned channels had amassed over 63 million subscribers.
The action comes shortly after a controversial and viral interview clip surfaced, in which Khwaja Asif admitted Pakistan’s long-standing involvement in supporting terrorist groups. In an interview with Sky News’s Yalda Hakim, Asif said: “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.”
The defence minister’s admission has reignited international scrutiny over Pakistan’s alleged role in harbouring terror groups, particularly in the context of attacks on Indian soil.
In response to the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government rolled out a series of diplomatic and strategic measures. These include:
- Shutting down the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.
- Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, who were given 40 hours to leave India.
- Reduction in diplomatic staff in High Commissions of both nations.
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a key bilateral agreement signed in 1960.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed decisive action, declaring that the perpetrators and conspirators of the attack will face justice beyond their imagination.
“The time has come to eliminate every remaining stronghold of terrorism. The will of 140 crore Indians will crush the backbone of terror,” Modi said.
