Government has withheld several Pakistani channels after the April 22 terror attack
Former Pakistan cricketers Shoaib Akhtar and Basit Ali’s Youtube channels have been blocked in India following “an order from the government related to national security or public order” in the wake of Pahalgam terror attack.
The Indian government has withheld several Pakistani channels after the April 22 terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down.
The move follows recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs in which it said that the Pakistani YouTube channels were “disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies”.
Dawn News, Irshad Bhatti, SAMAA TV, ARY NEWS, BOL NEWS, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Geo News, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, SUNO News and Razi Naama are the other Pakistani channels banned in India.
Following the order, the channels have been withheld by Youtube.
“This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order,” stated a Youtube message on logging into the channels.
Akhtar, a former pacer of repute, is a popular figure among Indian fans for his in-depth and often humorous analysis of international cricket issues. Basit, a former Pakistan coach, runs similar content on his channel.
As tensions escalate, India’s military spend outpaces Pakistan’s by nearly 9 times
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute report says ‘China’s military expenditure in 2024 exceeds the combined defence spending of India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia’
As tensions escalate in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, an international report released on Monday underscored the vast disparity in military capabilities between India and Pakistan.
According to the 2024 edition of the “Trends in World Military Expenditure” report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India’s military spending was nearly nine times higher than Pakistan’s last year.
The data also shows that China’s military expenditure in 2024 exceeded the combined defence spending of India, Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
According to the report, in 2024, India spent USD 86.1 billion on its military needs, ranking fifth globally, while Pakistan spent USD 10.2 billion, placing it at the 29th position. This means Pakistan’s defence spending amounts to just 11.84% of India’s expenditure.
The report stated that India’s military expenditure surged by 42 per cent since 2015. It noted that how India, one of the largest arms importers in the world, has put in place a policy aimed at reducing its reliance on arms imports.
The policy earmarks 75 per cent of Indian capital outlays (equivalent to 22 per cent of total military spending) to fund domestic military procurement and it has made significant progress over the years, said the report. “India is now able to produce armoured vehicles, helicopters and submarines. However, it remains reliant on imports for some more advanced systems, such as combat aircraft,” it added.
The report also outlines China’s rapidly expanding prowess defence expenditure, which reached USD 314 billion in 2024 — more than the combined military expenditures of India (USD 86.1 billion), Japan (USD 55.3 billion), South Korea (USD 47.6 billion), and Australia (USD 33.8 billion), totaling USD 222.8 billion.
China remains the second-largest military spender after the United States, which tops the list with a staggering USD 997 billion.
The SIPRI report said “China’s 2024 military spending was the largest year-on-year percentage increase since 2015 and the 30th consecutive year of growth—the longest unbroken streak recorded for any country in the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database”.
Chinese spending went up by 59 per cent over the decade 2015–24 and its military build-up has also influenced the military policies of its neighbours, prompting many of them to increase spending.
China’s rising spending is largely driven by its long-term goal of modernising its military across all domains by 2035.
It unveiled several improved capabilities in 2024, including new stealth combat aircraft, uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and uncrewed underwater vehicles.
China also continued to rapidly expand its nuclear arsenal in 2024 and moved to strengthen certain types of counterspace and cyberwarfare capabilities. It established separate aerospace and cyberspace forces in 2024, the report said.
Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the government on Saturday asked media outlets to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and the movement of security forces. This is the…
Amid escalating tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the government on Saturday asked media outlets to refrain from live coverage of defence operations and the movement of security forces.
This is the first such advisory since the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks when the media was told to exercise caution. Citing past experiences such as the Kargil conflict, the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and the Kandahar hijacking, the advisory, issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, underlined how unrestricted media coverage in times of crisis had in the past led to unintended consequences detrimental to national interests.
The advisory extends to news agencies, digital platforms and social media users, emphasising the need for utmost caution and responsibility in reporting matters related to national security. It contended that such reporting might inadvertently help hostile elements.
“In the interest of national security, all media platforms, news agencies and social media users are advised to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security-related operations,” the ministry said in a statement.
It has specifically prohibited real-time dissemination of visuals, live reporting from sensitive locations and the use of “source-based” information relating to ongoing military actions. It warned that premature disclosure of sensitive operational details could inadvertently assist hostile elements, jeopardising both the effectiveness of missions and the safety of personnel involved. The ministry stressed that the media, digital platforms and individual users play a crucial role in upholding national security.
“Beyond legal obligations, it is a shared moral duty to ensure that collective actions do not compromise the integrity of ongoing operations or endanger the lives of security forces,” it said.
It warned that violation of these provisions could attract strict action under the applicable laws. “All TV channels are, therefore, advised not to telecast live coverage of anti-terror operations or the movement of security forces in the interest of national security,” the advisory emphasised.
Adil Akhzer Srinagar, April 26 The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir on Saturday, Army officials said. This marks the second consecutive day of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC…
The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir on Saturday, Army officials said.
This marks the second consecutive day of ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in Kashmir, prompting a strong response from Indian troops. According to Army officials, on the night of April 25–26, “unprovoked small arms firing was carried out by various Pakistan army posts across the Line of Control in Kashmir.”
“Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms fire,” officials added, noting that no casualties were reported in the exchange.
The latest violation comes amid heightened tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this week, in which 26 people were killed. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Kashmir on Friday and was briefed by the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Commander on the prevailing situation, including the ceasefire violations and the Army’s effective response along the LoC. Earlier on Friday morning, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire at multiple locations along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, again prompting an “effective” response from Indian forces.
Meanwhile, the recent escalation has sparked panic among residents of border towns. Locals in the tourist destinations of Gurez and Tangdhar — areas close to the Line of Control that have recently emerged as popular tourist spots — reported growing anxiety.
“Yesterday, we even cleaned up the community bunkers as a precautionary measure,” said a resident of Tangdhar. “Because of the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, we are just praying that the situation doesn’t escalate further.”
Since the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan in 2021, border towns had witnessed a period of peace with no incidents of cross-border firing — a calm now threatened.
Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Octroi Border Outpost (BoP) along the International Border (IB) was on Friday made out of bounds for the general public. Several tourists from Nagpur and Mumbai claimed they were not allowed to visit…
Days after the Pahalgam terror attack, the Octroi Border Outpost (BoP) along the International Border (IB) was on Friday made out of bounds for the general public.
Several tourists from Nagpur and Mumbai claimed they were not allowed to visit the Octroi BoP by the border guards amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, officials said.
Earlier, India closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari in Amritsar, Punjab. “We were not allowed to visit the Octroi BoP along the IB in the Suchetgarh sector due to tensions in the wake of the terror attack,” Nund Kishore, a tourist from Nagpur, said.
The tourists said the daily ceremonial drill at Suchetgarh has also been affected by the heightened security protocols. Repeated calls to Border Security Force (BSF) officials went unanswered.
Attari-Wagah Retreat: Gates remain shut, no handshake, ceremony changes after Pahalgam attack
Attari-Wagah Retreat: Gates remain shut, no handshake, ceremony changes after Pahalgam attack #PahalgamAttack #AttariWagahBorder #IndiaPakistanTensions #BorderCeremony #WagahBorder #IndoPakRelations #PahalgamTerrorAttack #RetreatCeremony #IndiaPakistanBorder #MilitaryStandoff The decision not to open the gates or shake hands during the Attari-Wagah border retreat ceremony appears to.
Terrorist hideout busted; huge cache of arms, ammunition seized in Kupwara
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was seized as security forces busted a terrorist hideout in Kupwara district on Saturday, police said. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a search operation was launched by the security forces in the forested..
A huge cache of arms and ammunition was seized as security forces busted a terrorist hideout in Kupwara district on Saturday, police said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a search operation was launched by the security forces in the forested area of Sedori Nala, Mushtaqabad Machil (the Samsha Behak forest region), in the north Kashmir district, a police official said.
A significant cache of arms and ammunition, including five AK-47 rifles, eight AK-47 magazines, a pistol, a pistol magazine, 660 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, a pistol round and 50 rounds of M4 ammunition, was seized from the site, the official said.
This was a major success, especially in view of indications that terrorists were preparing to carry out activities aimed at disturbing peace and order in the region, he added.
The timely action by the security forces has dealt a major blow to such nefarious designs and averted potential threats to civilian lives and public safety, he said.
5,000 Pakistani nationals in Maharashtra, 1,000 short-term visa holders ordered to leave: Minister
The MEA announced that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, while medical visas will be valid only till April 29
Maharashtra minister Yogesh Kadam on Saturday said 5,000 Pakistani nationals are residing in the state, including 1,000 on short term visas who have been asked to leave the country as per the Centre’s directives.
Some are residing in India since the last 8-10 years, some are married and some are those who have surrendered their Pakistani passport and applied for Indian citizenship, he said.
“According to my estimate, there could be 4,000 long-term visas, of which 1,000 are the SAARC visa, those who have come to the state for film work, medical ground, journalism, personal work,” Kadam said.
The ones with short-term visas have been asked to leave by April 27, while those with medical visas have been given two more days to leave, Kadam said.
Following the horrific Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 persons were killed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, while medical visas issued to them will be valid only till April 29.
Karnataka High Court has restrained the Bengaluru city police from initiating any coercive steps against Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose in connection with a road rage case. The interim direction was issued by Justice Hemant Chandangoudar on April…
Karnataka High Court has restrained the Bengaluru city police from initiating any coercive steps against Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shiladitya Bose in connection with a road rage case.
The interim direction was issued by Justice Hemant Chandangoudar on April 24, following a petition filed by the officer challenging the FIR lodged against him.
The incident took place near C V Raman Nagar on 21 April. Initially, the police registered an FIR based on a complaint lodged by Bose, alleging he was assaulted by Vikas Kumar S J, a call centre employee. Subsequently, a counter-complaint was lodged by Kumar, leading to a second FIR being registered against the IAF officer.
In its interim order, the court instructed the police not to take any coercive steps against Bose or summon him without adhering to proper legal procedure. It also directed that the chargesheet in the case should not be filed without the court’s prior permission.
The court, however, noted that the petitioner must cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
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