India has blocked the YouTube channel of Pakistan’s Express News, intensifying its ongoing media restrictions after Pahalgam incident coverage.
Earlier on Monday, the Indian authorities had already restricted access to several important Pakistani YouTube channels, including news channels and individual journalists channels.
The sites were blocked in India, with a message that said it was due to an “order of the government related to national security or public order.”
However, the YouTube channel of Express News was blocked separately on Tuesday, so it is the latest incorporation into the block list.
Critics say that the measure reflects the growing intolerance for independent reports in India, despite their statements to be the largest democracy in the world.
Access to prohibited channels, including express news, remains possible for Indian viewers through VPN services.
Pahalgama attack and diplomatic consequences
The prohibition follows the deadly shooting of April 22 that attacked tourists in Pahalgam in India illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (Iiojk). Twenty -six men were killed in the attack, the worst of civilians in the region played during a quarter of a century.
Immediately after the attack, India blamed Pakistan. Islamabad denied any role in the attack while requested an independent investigation into the incident.
Meanwhile, the BBC coverage of the Cashmirian terrorist attack last week has also been criticized from the Indian government, which has formally written its head of operations, sources familiar with the situation said.
