New Delhi [India] : In the wake of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has intensified its crackdown on pro-terror propaganda by withholding the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in India. The move comes amid mounting evidence and public outrage over Pakistan’s long-standing support for terrorism.
On Monday, India also banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative, anti-India content and misinformation targeting the Indian Army and security forces. These channels had a combined subscriber base exceeding 63 million, amplifying their reach significantly.
This escalation follows a stunning admission by Khawaja Asif in a viral interview with Sky News’s Yalda Hakim, where he conceded Pakistan’s historic role in backing terrorism. When asked if Pakistan had supported and funded terrorist groups, Asif responded, “We have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about 3 decades… and the West, including Britain… That was a mistake, and we suffered for that.” He went on to say that had Pakistan not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later the U.S.-led war post-9/11, its international record would have remained clean.
Asif’s remarks have reignited criticism over Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism and come at a time when India is taking swift diplomatic and strategic action.
In response to the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has introduced several measures:
- Closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, curbing cross-border movement.
- Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to return to their country.
- Reduction of diplomatic staff in both Indian and Pakistani High Commissions.
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a water-sharing agreement signed in 1960.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation, vowed strict action against the perpetrators. He emphasized that “the time has come to destroy the remaining bastions of terrorism” and assured that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack would face “punishment beyond their imagination.” He further asserted that the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians would dismantle the backbone of terrorism.