India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said it has blocked 35 YouTube channels, two Twitter accounts, two Instagram accounts, two websites and a Facebook account, with a senior official saying "the common factor amongst all these accounts have been that they operate from Pakistan and spread fake anti-India news and other content."

The ministry has issued orders to the respective social media intermediaries and internet service providers through the Department of Telecom for blocking all the accounts.

"The blocked accounts have contents on Indian Armed Forces, Kashmir, India's foreign relation with other countries and the death of former CDS Bipin Rawat," said Vikram Sahay Joint Secretary (P&A), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

"The blocked social media accounts had over 1.2 crore (12 million) subscribers with a viewership of 130 crores," he stated. 
 
The 35 accounts blocked by the ministry were all operating from Pakistan and were identified to be part of four coordinated disinformation networks, the ministry has alleged.

The action has seen part of continuing diplomatic and propaganda warfare between the two countries, when one country announces some punitive action and the other retaliates, even if the action is contrived. Pakistan is expected to announce some similar action against Indian news and information channels soon.

(SAM)