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Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi's Instagram Accounts Banned In India After Pahalgam Attack

Rajgeeta Yadav

Babar Azam and other cricketers account banned in India [Source: ICC and @RichKettle07/X.com]Babar Azam and other cricketers account banned in India [Source: ICC and @RichKettle07/X.com]

The Indian government has blocked the Instagram accounts of top Pakistan cricketers like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf in India. This action came after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which shocked the nation.

Not just the cricketers, several popular Pakistan celebrities like actress Hania Aamir, actor Ali Fazal, and even Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem also had their Instagram profiles blocked in India.

Why Were These Accounts Blocked?

The decision to block these accounts came after a horrific terror attack on April 22 in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, where 26 people, mostly tourists were killed, and many others were injured when terrorists opened fire in a peaceful meadow near the town. 

The attack sparked national outrage, and with rising concerns about Pakistani propaganda spreading through social media, the Indian government took action.

According to The Tribune, the government has asked platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to restrict Pakistan accounts from operating in India. This tragic incident not only heightened tensions between India and Pakistan but also pushed authorities to closely monitor and control online content being shared across the region.

If someone in India tries to open Babar Azam’s Instagram page, they now see a message saying: “Account not available in India due to a legal request.”

India bans Pakistani YouTube channels

Earlier this week, many Pakistan YouTube channels were also blocked in India. These included accounts that were allegedly sharing misleading or provocative content against India, its Army, or security forces. Former cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Shahid Afridi were among those affected on YouTube. 

However, their Instagram accounts are still viewable in India for now unlike Babar Azam or Rizwan's, which are currently inaccessible.