New Delhi: Several popular Pakistani artists, including actor Hania Aamir, found their Instagram accounts blocked in India on Wednesday evening. The move comes just days after a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir, which New Delhi has blamed on Islamabad.

Hania Aamir, who has gained significant popularity among Indian audiences for her performances in Pakistani dramas such as ‘Mere Humsafar’ and ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’, had commented, "Tragedy anywhere is a tragedy for all."

Mahira Khan, known for her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in the 2017 film ‘Raees’, was also among those affected.

Deadly attack in Pahalgam

Last Tuesday, terrorists targeted tourists enjoying the picturesque surroundings of Pahalgam, a lush valley beneath the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The attack claimed the lives of 26 people. Survivors reported that the attackers separated the men, questioned several about their religion, and shot them at close range. All but one of those killed were Indian nationals; one victim was from Nepal.

Social media blockades amid rising tensions

The action to block the Pakistani actors' accounts follows closely after the Indian government banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly spreading provocative and communally sensitive content.

Diplomatic fallout between India and Pakistan

Following the Pahalgam attack, India announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the only operational land border crossing at Attari, and downgrading diplomatic ties, citing cross-border connections to the attack.

In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended all trade with India, including transit through third countries. Islamabad rejected India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any move to stop the flow of water would be considered an "act of war."

(Agency inputs)