16 Pakistani YouTube channels blocked; Centre writes to BBC on its Pahalgam coverage

The Centre has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News and Geo News, for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives, and misinformation against India, its Army, and security agencies.

The decision was taken following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs in the wake of the April 22 terror attack at Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

The government has also sent a formal letter to BBC over it terming terrorists "militants" in its reportage on the Pahalgam tragedy.

"On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has banned Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir," officials said.

The National Investigation Agency teams, stationed at the attack site since April 23, have intensified the search for evidence. The Army is on a high alert, launching several search operations to neutralise the terrorists following the attack.