Indian police have arrested multiple individuals across Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, and Assam amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan, accusing them of promoting pro-Pakistan views or aiding espionage activities.

Among the arrested is Ali Khan Mahmudabad, a political science professor at Ashoka University, detained in Delhi over social media posts criticizing India’s military narrative around “Operation Sindoor.” He was booked under laws relating to communal harmony, secession, and religious insult. His remarks on a Muslim army officer and Hindutva politics drew sharp backlash from BJP leaders and the Haryana Women’s Commission. Critics, including ThePrint, condemned the arrest as a violation of constitutional freedoms.

Separately, travel vlogger Jyoti Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel ‘Travel With Jo’, was arrested in Hisar under the Official Secrets Act. Authorities claim she transmitted sensitive information to Pakistani operatives and had visited Pakistan twice. Her family denies all allegations.

Indian media also reported the arrest of several civilians, including students and security personnel, allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based espionage network. Names include Guzala and Banu Nasreena from Punjab, and Arman from Haryana, accused of facilitating SIM card transfers and money laundering for operatives.

In Assam, police, acting on army intelligence, busted a fake SIM card racket allegedly involved in passing information to Pakistan. Seven were arrested, with raids extending to Telangana, Rajasthan, and Delhi.

Pakistani journalists have questioned the credibility of Indian reports, calling the arrests politically motivated and accusing Indian media of war-mongering. The New York Times also noted that Indian outlets amplified false narratives during the conflict, further complicating cross-border relations.

Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1911773

Pakistan’s Ministry of Climate Change and fact-checkers have debunked viral claims circulating on social media alleging that Pakistan experienced a radiation leak in its northern regions. The rumour was fuelled by a fake document falsely attributed to Pakistani authorities, suggesting contamination and public health risks. However, no credible evidence supports these claims, and the document has been confirmed as fabricated.

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the ministry clarified that no such letter or bulletin had been released, saying, “The ministry has not issued any such letter or bulletin. The language and style of the fake document do not match the ministry’s standard drafting protocols.” The spokesperson also urged the public to avoid circulating the false information: “We urge the public to ignore this fake letter and refrain from spreading it. Always verify information through official, authenticated sources before sharing.”

A viral video circulating on social media claims that former U.S. President Donald Trump mocked Pakistan in response to India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The claim is false.

The clip, featuring Trump saying “I need water. Help me,” is from a 2016 campaign rally in Texas, where he mocked fellow Republican Marco Rubio, not Pakistan. The footage, shared widely across Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok, has been used falsely to misinform the audience about the recent India-Pakistan escalation.

Soch Fact Check traced the original video to February 27, 2016, first published by CNN and NBC. At no point does Trump reference Pakistan or the Indus Waters Treaty.

Following India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which included airstrikes and the suspension of the 1960 treaty, Trump’s actual statements focused on de-escalation. He emphasized his close ties with both countries and called for peace, eventually announcing the May 10 ceasefire via Truth Social.

Source: https://www.sochfactcheck.com/trump-did-not-mock-pakistan-over-indus-waters-treaty-dispute/

On May 8, Indian broadcaster Zee Rajasthan News aired a photo during live coverage of the India–Pakistan conflict, falsely claiming it showed a Pakistani pilot captured by Indian forces. The image was later found to be unrelated and originates from Turkey.

The false claim was widely circulated on social media and remains viewable on Zee Rajasthan News’ official YouTube channel. However, a reverse image search revealed that the photo was taken in December 2016 in Diyarbakir, Turkey, after a Turkish F-16 jet crashed and the pilot safely ejected. The original image, published by Getty Images, shows Turkish military personnel securing the crash site.

Fact-checkers confirmed the misattribution, labeling the viral image as misinformation. The incident has raised fresh concerns about media accountability and the role of disinformation during high-stakes geopolitical conflicts.

Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/604567-fact-check-viral-pakistani-pilot-photo-is-actually-from-turkey

India has blocked the X (formerly Twitter) accounts of Chinese news agency Xinhua, Global Times, and Turkey’s TRT World amid accusations of spreading disinformation during the recent military escalation with Pakistan.

The move follows claims by India that foreign media misreported events, including a disputed story that Pakistan downed Indian fighter jets, information India labeled as false. The Indian Embassy in China called out Global Times for publishing unverified claims attributed to Xinhua.

India has reportedly directed X to block around 8,000 accounts, including some Indian media outlets and journalists, raising press freedom concerns. While China and Turkey have voiced support for Pakistan, India has yet to confirm whether these foreign outlets are part of the blocked list.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/india-blocks-chinese-turkish-news-agencies-from-x/a-72536227

As tensions escalate between Pakistan and India, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has compiled a list of high-profile Pakistani YouTubers accused of spreading anti-state and anti-military narratives. The agency has requested federal government approval to block these channels within Pakistan.

Notable names reportedly under review include Imran Riaz, Sabir Shakir, Siddique Jan, and Shahbaz Gill. Channels run by Ahmed Noorani and Waqar Malik have already been blocked. PTA has also submitted these cases to YouTube’s administration for further action.

According to a PTA spokesperson, action will proceed upon formal government directives, with the authority citing national security and public order concerns. “We have shared the relevant data with YouTube and are awaiting final instructions,” the spokesperson told SAMAA TV, noting confidentiality protocols around the full list.

PTA disclosed that over 3,200 YouTube channels accused of promoting anti-Pakistan content have been blocked, alongside over 119,000 URLs flagged for unlawful material. Additionally, 68 Indian YouTube channels have been blocked in Pakistan at PTA’s request.

While the PTA holds authority to block digital content under PECA, legal enforcement and arrests fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies.

Source: https://www.samaa.tv/2087333670-pta-lists-major-pakistani-youtubers-running-hate-campaigns

Indian authorities have arrested travel influencer Jyoti Malhotra from Haryana on charges of espionage, alleging she was in contact with a Pakistani High Commission official expelled from India earlier this month. Malhotra, who has over 377,000 YouTube subscribers, reportedly visited Pakistan multiple times, with her last trip in March 2025.

Police claim she maintained continuous communication with Pakistani intelligence operatives and may have collaborated with others, though she had no direct access to defense-related information. Her travel history and financing have come under scrutiny, raising questions about her known sources of income.

The arrest follows rising tensions between India and Pakistan, and came shortly after the Indian government expelled Ahsan-ur-Rahim, a Pakistani diplomat, citing "activities incompatible with his official status." Pakistan retaliated by expelling an Indian diplomat.

Malhotra’s father denies the allegations, stating she traveled with proper permissions. Her arrest is being further linked to investigations around the recent Pahalgam attack, which triggered military escalation earlier this month.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2e7xv8v80o

Following a May 8 advisory by the Indian government, major music streaming services like Spotify began removing Pakistani content for Indian users, citing national security concerns under the IT Rules. Popular songs such as Maand, Jhol, and Faasle were delisted, and Pakistani artists like Mawra Hocane and Mahira Khan were digitally erased from promotional materials.

The directive instructed OTT platforms and digital intermediaries to block all Pakistani media, including web series, songs, and podcasts. Industry figures expressed concern, noting they were not consulted.

While the ban targets original content, Bollywood continues to profit from remakes of iconic Pakistani tracks, raising questions of cultural double standards amid censorship.

Source: https://images.dawn.com/news/1193633

Pakistani actors have reportedly been removed from Bollywood film posters and promotional content on Indian streaming platforms. The move appears to be part of a broader digital cultural boycott amid deteriorating diplomatic relations. Platforms including Netflix India and Amazon Prime Video have edited visuals to exclude Pakistani talent, further erasing cross-border collaboration from the public eye. Critics argue this digitally enforced erasure not only undermines artistic freedom but also feeds into divisive nationalist sentiment, weaponising culture in a digital propaganda war.