India bans Instagram accounts of Pakistani actors

Instagram accounts of several Pakistani actors including Hania Aamir and Mahira Khan are no longer accessible to users in India. The development comes amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan after 26 people were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam.

The accounts of several popular Pakistani actors and content creators shows up 'Account not available' message when accessed by users from India.

"Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content," Instagram says on these accounts.

Other Pakistani celebrities whose Instagram accounts have been blocked in India are Ali Zafar, Sanam Saeed, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly.

This social media crackdown follows the Indian government's move two days ago to ban 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, including prominent media outlets like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News.

The channels were banned for airing 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 attack.