In a confusing digital episode, the Instagram and X accounts of several Pakistani celebrities were once again blocked in India on Thursday, just a day after briefly becoming accessible. Prominent figures such as Hania Aamir, Mahira Khan, Shahid Afridi, Mawra Hocane, and Fawad Khan found their profiles geoblocked once again for Indian users.

The sudden reappearance of these accounts on Wednesday had sparked speculation about a potential rollback of the ban imposed after rising Indo-Pak tensions. However, government sources clarified that the visibility was the result of a technical glitch. “If you can see some accounts either on X, YouTube or Meta, they will be inaccessible in a few hours. Some technical glitch led to the unblocking. Rectified now,” a source told IndiaToday.in.

Currently, attempts to access these profiles on Instagram trigger a message stating: “Account not available in India. This is because we complied with a legal request to restrict this content.”

On July 2, several Pakistani YouTube channels and Instagram handles, including those of celebrities like Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Yumna Zaidi, and Danish Taimoor, had briefly resurfaced. Major entertainment channels such as Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo also became accessible again, prompting a flurry of online discussions.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has not released any official clarification regarding the sequence of events. The original restrictions had been imposed after India’s Operation Sindoor, a military campaign aimed at neutralizing terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The move followed sharp criticism from several Pakistani public figures, which in turn triggered widespread demand for their content to be blocked in India.

The swift reblocking of these accounts underscores the sensitivity of cross-border digital interactions amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Many Pakistani social media accounts and YouTube channels, which were blocked in India after the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, are now visible again. This has upset several Indian groups, including the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA), which has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking for action.

Accounts of Pakistani celebrities like Mawra Hocane, Yumna Zaidi, Ahad Raza Mir, and Danish Taimoor can now be seen on Instagram from India. But some others, like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, and Hania Aamir, are still not accessible. YouTube channels of Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Akhtar, and Rashid Latif have also become available again.

Popular Pakistani TV channels like Hum TV, ARY Digital, and Har Pal Geo, which had been blocked earlier, can now be watched in India. These accounts and channels were blocked after the Indian government issued an advisory on May 8 asking all platforms to remove Pakistani content for national security reasons.

The AICWA said in its letter, “It is very upsetting that Pakistani actors’ accounts are visible again. This hurts the feelings of Indians, especially those who lost family in terror attacks caused by Pakistan.” The group called it an insult to the soldiers who lost their lives in such attacks.

The bans had come after the deadly Pahalgam attack on April 22, which killed 26 people. In response, India carried out Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The fighting lasted four days, with airstrikes, drones, and missiles used by both sides. India hit several Pakistani military bases, forcing both countries to agree to a ceasefire by May 10.

Even though the fighting stopped, the online bans stayed in place. Now, the return of some Pakistani social media accounts has led to confusion and concern. Many people are asking why the ban was lifted and what the government’s current policy is.

A British F-35B stealth fighter jet, stranded at Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram airport for 18 days, has unexpectedly become the center of a social media meme storm—and the Kerala Tourism Department has now joined the fun. In a light-hearted post on X, the department quipped that the jet was “not willing to leave” because “Kerala is a place you never want to leave.”

The post also included an AI-generated image of the F-35B fighter alongside a fake five-star review that read, “Kerala is such an amazing place, I don’t want to leave. Definitely recommend.” The department thanked the satirical platform “The Fauxy” for inspiring the viral poster.

The F-35B, a fifth-generation stealth aircraft known for its short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, was returning from a joint maritime exercise with the Indian Navy in the Indo-Pacific when it made an emergency landing in Kerala’s capital. The aircraft, which is part of the UK’s HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group, has since been exposed to Kerala’s scorching heat and seasonal rains.

The prolonged stay has led to a flood of internet humor. One popular meme mockingly offers the jet “for sale,” while another compares the situation to a scene from the Malayalam cult classic Vellanakalude Nadu, in which a defunct road roller becomes a bureaucratic nuisance. Social media users have also joked about the potential aviation parking fees being levied on the parked warplane.

Despite the jet’s advanced technology and elite status, its unplanned layover in Kerala has turned it into a surprising mascot for the state’s tourism charm, proving that sometimes, even military hardware isn’t immune to Kerala’s laid-back appeal—or its meme culture.

A joint counter-terrorism operation, Operation CHHATRU is currently underway in the Kanzal Mandu area of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official statement from the Indian Army’s White Knight Corps. The operation was launched earlier today based on precise intelligence inputs, and involves coordinated action by multiple security agencies to track and neutralize suspected militants in the area.

The engagement began in the afternoon and remains active, with troops continuing their efforts on the ground. While no official confirmation has been given regarding casualties or the number of militants involved, the Army has stated that the situation remains fluid and dynamic.

Kishtwar has long been a challenging zone for counter-insurgency forces due to its difficult mountainous terrain and history of terrorist presence. In May 2025, an encounter in the nearby Chhatru region resulted in the death of one soldier and the elimination of two terrorists, underscoring the risks involved in such missions.

Security forces have reportedly increased their presence in the area to ensure containment and to prevent any escape attempts. The current operation forms part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region, especially in light of past incidents that drew scrutiny. In November 2024, an operation in the same district led to allegations of civilian mistreatment, prompting internal reviews and public concern over operational conduct.

Authorities have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement as the operation proceeds. Further details are expected as the situation develops.

Paras Anti Drone Technologies, a subsidiary of Paras Defence and Space Technologies, announced a major export deal on Tuesday to supply advanced counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems to French firm CERBAIR. The agreement, valued at Rs 22 crore, involves the delivery of up to 30 CHIMERA 200 systems—man-portable RF detection and neutralisation devices built to counter rogue drones and drone swarms.

The CHIMERA 200 system is a field-proven, upgradeable counter-UAS platform offering wideband detection and neutralisation capabilities. It supports omnidirectional and directional operations across the 400 MHz to 6 GHz frequency spectrum, with up to five simultaneous bands. The system is capable of identifying threats such as drones, remote controls, and take-off locations with precision and speed, making it well-suited for modern UAV threats.

The deal strengthens India’s growing reputation as a global exporter of high-end defence technologies. Paras Anti Drone Technologies highlighted that the agreement aligns with India’s Make-in-India initiative and its goal of reaching USD 5 billion in annual defence exports by 2025.

Ashutosh Baheti, CEO of Paras Anti Drone Technologies, called the partnership a testament to India’s rising status as a trusted provider of cutting-edge anti-drone solutions. He emphasized the company’s commitment to meeting international standards with field-tested and scalable systems.

CERBAIR President Lucas Le Bell, in a letter of intent to Paras, noted rising demand for such systems in Europe amid increasing drone threats and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He highlighted the importance of boosting neutralisation power output and agility to counter advanced drone technologies in real-time scenarios.

The CHIMERA 200, already deployed across critical infrastructure in India, is expected to serve a key role in Europe’s evolving security landscape. The partnership is set to unlock further export opportunities and expand cooperation through 2026 and beyond.

Amit Mahajan, Director at Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd, stated that India has moved beyond licensed manufacturing to emerge as a global hub for designing and exporting reliable, cost-effective defence technologies.

India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has urged U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to expedite the delayed delivery of GE F404-IN20 engines, which power the Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants of India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft. The request was made during a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, as reported by The Print.

The delivery of the engines, delayed by over two years, has become a significant obstacle in meeting production timelines for the Tejas jets, developed jointly by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Singh underscored the urgency, stating that the engine delivery is a critical issue and must be resolved on a priority basis.

The GE F404-IN20 engine, manufactured by General Electric, is integral to India’s plans to modernize its air force under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The lightweight, single-engine Tejas fighter has been positioned as a key component of India’s drive toward self-reliance in defense production.

Production setbacks have affected HAL’s ability to deliver the 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets ordered under a ₹48,000 crore contract signed in 2021, with further orders likely to follow. The Indian Air Force, seeking to replace its aging fleet, views the timely induction of Tejas aircraft as crucial to strengthening its operational capabilities amid growing regional security threats.