Pakistan's Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem’s Instagram account blocked in India following Pahalgam attack

Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist in javelin throw Arshad Nadeem's Instagram account was blocked in India following the recent terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

Indian users attempting to access his profile are met with a message stating: "Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content."

The move comes in the wake of a deadly terrorist attack on April 22, where 26 people—primarily tourists—were killed and several others injured. In response, the Indian government has intensified its scrutiny of Pakistani digital content with a significant Indian audience.


As part of the crackdown, several Pakistani YouTube channels were also restricted earlier this week for allegedly spreading provocative, communally sensitive content, and misinformation targeting India’s armed forces and security agencies, reported PTI.

Among those affected are former cricketers Shoaib Akhtar, Basit Ali, and Shahid Afridi, whose YouTube content is no longer accessible in India.

However, while the YouTube channels of these personalities are restricted, their Instagram profiles remain accessible—unlike that of Arshad Nadeem. Instagram accounts of current Pakistani cricketers such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shahid Afridi are still available to Indian users.

Other prominent Pakistani celebrities, including actors Mahira Khan and Ali Zafar, have also had their Instagram accounts blocked in India.

Arshad Nadeem, who famously clinched gold at the Paris Olympics by defeating Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, was recently invited by Chopra to participate in the inaugural NC Classic javelin event set for May 24 in Bengaluru. However, Nadeem declined the invitation, citing prior commitments.

(With inputs from PTI)