India Blocks Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan’s Instagram Accounts in Bold Response to Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a significant development following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Instagram accounts of prominent Pakistani cricketers, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Hassan Ali and Haris Rauf, have been blocked in India.

The move, which also affects the official Instagram handle of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), comes as part of a broader crackdown by the Indian government on social media accounts of Pakistani nationals in the wake of the April 22 attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.

The Pahalgam terror attack, one of the deadliest in the region in recent years, has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. Indian authorities have attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terror organizations, prompting a series of retaliatory measures, including restrictions on digital content. 

Users attempting to access the blocked Instagram accounts from India are greeted with a message stating,

"Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

Shahid Afridi’s Instagram Account Still Active 

Additionally, YouTube channels operated by former Pakistani cricketers such as Shoaib Akhtar, Shahid Afridi, and Basit Ali, along with other Pakistani content creators, have been banned in India.

However, the Instagram account of Shahid Afridi remains accessible in India, despite his recent controversial remarks against the Indian army, which sparked a public spat with former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan on social media.

The crackdown extends beyond cricketers. The Instagram accounts of several Pakistani celebrities, including actors Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, and Ali Zafar, as well as Olympic gold medalist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, have also been restricted in India. 

Following the terror attack, the Indian government implemented stringent measures against Pakistan. These include the cancellation of all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas for Pakistani nationals and the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.

Moreover, FanCode, the official digital streaming partner for the Pakistan Super League 2025 (PSL 2025)  in India, halted live streaming of the tournament. The platform removed all PSL-related content, including match highlights and videos, from its app and website.

Also read: Will India-Pakistan World Cup Matches End? Report Clears BCCI’s Stance After Pahalgam Terror Attack