New Delhi, July 3: Official sources have confirmed that all Pakistani accounts on X have been blocked in India after a brief period of accessibility.

This action is part of India's increasing digital and diplomatic measures against Pakistan, following the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists by militants linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba's affiliate, The Resistance Front.

In response to the attack, India implemented several retaliatory actions, including halting the Indus Water Treaty and initiating Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror launch sites within Pakistan.

The crackdown extended to Pakistani media and social media accounts, affecting profiles of actors, cricketers, and influencers across platforms like Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Despite some accounts being briefly accessible, they have now been re-blocked, with users in India encountering a message stating: "Account Withheld. (Name of the account) has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand."

On Wednesday, users had temporary access to the X and Instagram accounts of various Pakistani celebrities, including Mawra Hocane, Saba Qamar, and Ahad Raza Mir, along with YouTube channels of former cricketers Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar.

However, accounts belonging to Mahira Khan, Fawad Khan, and Hania Aamir remained inaccessible throughout this period.

Moreover, the ban on YouTube continues, as confirmed by sources.

In May, the Indian government had issued an advisory instructing all OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to cease content from Pakistan.

This advisory, dated May 8, 2025, under the IT Rules, 2021, emphasized that "content hosted or streamed must not threaten India's sovereignty, integrity, national security, or public order."

It specifically mandated the removal of "web-series, films, songs, podcasts, and other streaming content" produced in Pakistan, regardless of whether they were on subscription-based or free platforms.

Following the temporary restoration of access to some Pakistani accounts, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) urgently appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a complete ban on all Pakistani social media in India.

The association described the visibility of these accounts as an "insult to the sacrifice of our martyred soldiers" and an "emotional assault" on Indians who have suffered losses due to terror attacks linked to Pakistan.

Referencing significant terror incidents such as 26/11, Pulwama, Uri, and the recent Pahalgam attack, AICWA labeled Pakistan a "terrorist nation" and criticized Pakistani artists for allegedly speaking against India without expressing remorse.

AICWA's appeal included three key demands: a total digital blackout of all Pakistani accounts and media in India; a prohibition on future collaborations or promotions involving Pakistani nationals; and a permanent cultural disconnection from Pakistan as a tribute to the Indian Armed Forces and the families of martyrs.