Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam among Pakistani celebrities blocked on Instagram in India

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan and singer Atif Aslam's Instagram profiles have been restricted in India as tensions between the two neighbouring nations continue to rise following the recent terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

As of Friday, when Indian users attempt to access their accounts, they are met with the message: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

Fawad Khan, who made his Bollywood debut opposite Sonam Kapoor in ‘Khoobsurat’ (2014), gained widespread popularity through roles in films such as ‘Kapoor & Sons’ and ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. His latest project, ‘Abir Gulaal’, now faces uncertainty regarding its release in the wake of the escalating situation.

Atif Aslam, celebrated for hit Bollywood tracks like Tu Jaane Na, Tera Hone Laga Hoon (Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani), and Pehli Nazar Mein (Race), has earned several accolades, including nominations at the prestigious Filmfare Awards.

They are not the only ones affected; Instagram accounts of other Pakistani celebrities, including Mahira Khan, Hania Amir, and Ali Zafar, Iqra Aziz etc have also been blocked for users in India in recent days.

The restrictions follow heightened diplomatic strains after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people lost their lives.

An Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official were also among the victims. The massacre took place in Baisaran, a scenic meadow often referred to as 'mini Switzerland'.

This assault marked the deadliest attack in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Responsibility was claimed by The Resistance Front, believed to be a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

In response to the attack, India took several tough measures, including downgrading diplomatic relations with Pakistan, revoking visa services for Pakistani citizens, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960.

Pakistan, in retaliation, announced countermeasures and warned that any attempt by India to divert water under the treaty would be deemed an "Act of War". Airspace restrictions have also been enforced by both countries against one another.