Imran Khan, Bilawal Bhutto’s X handles blocked in India after Pahalgam attack tension escalates

India has blocked access to the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto, citing a legal demand. This move comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

Visitors attempting to access their accounts in India are met with a notice stating that the content has been withheld "in response to a legal request." The development follows a series of digital and diplomatic measures taken by India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people lost their lives.

Earlier this week, Instagram accounts of several popular Pakistani celebrities including Mahira Khan, Hania Amir, and Ali Zafar were similarly blocked in India. The official message on these accounts stated that the content was restricted to comply with a legal request.

Other celebrities whose Instagram presence was also withheld include Sanam Saeed, Imran Abbas, Sajal Aly, Iqra Aziz, and Bilal Abbas. The restrictions signal a broader clampdown on Pakistani figures visible in Indian digital spaces as political and public outrage grows over cross-border terrorism.

The blocking of Imran Khan and Bilawal Bhutto’s accounts adds a political layer to the digital action, reflecting India’s firm stance amid the aftermath of the attack. While no official statement has been issued detailing the legal provisions invoked, the timing closely aligns with India's crackdown on Pakistani entities following the terror incident.

The incident has led to visa cancellations of Pakistani nationals, court cases involving deportations, and renewed scrutiny of ties between individuals from both countries. As emotions run high in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, India’s digital ecosystem appears to be a new front in the diplomatic standoff.