Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 29: In a swift and decisive move, the Indian government has imposed a digital sanction by blocking the X (formerly Twitter) account of Pakistan's defence minister, Khawaja Asif. This action follows a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 lives, primarily those of tourists, were tragically lost. The blockade is seen as a direct response to Asif's recent public admissions, which have ignited international outrage and solidified India's long-standing accusations of Pakistan's state-sponsored terrorism.
The controversy stems from an interview with Sky News, where Asif openly acknowledged Pakistan's decades-long involvement in "backing, supporting, training, and funding" terrorist organizations. He further elaborated, stating, "We have been doing this dirty work for the United States (US) for about three decades... and West, including Britain," in the context of Pakistan's ties to these groups.
India's reaction was immediate and forceful. At the United Nations, India's Deputy Permanent Representative, Yojna Patel, condemned Asif's statements as a "clear confession of Pakistan's involvement in promoting terrorism." She characterized Pakistan as a "rogue state fueling global terrorism and destabilising the region," emphasizing that the admission confirmed India's persistent claims. Patel also criticized Pakistan's delegation for misusing international forums to propagate "propaganda and baseless allegations" against India, asserting that the truth had now been unequivocally revealed.
The blocking of Asif's X account is not an isolated incident. Preceding this action, India banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, boasting a collective subscriber base of 63 million, for disseminating "provocative and communally sensitive content." Prominent channels such as Dawn News, ARY News, BOL News, Geo News, SAMAA TV, and GNN were among those targeted.
The catalyst for these actions was the brutal terror attack in the Baisaran Valley, where terrorists unleashed indiscriminate gunfire on a group of tourists. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, including a Nepali national, and left several others injured. Graphic footage from the scene, depicting the chaos and violence, has circulated widely, underscoring the severity of the incident.