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India Expands Crackdown Following Operation Sindoor Ceasefire

Arrests of academic, alleged spies, and social media users mark a widening effort to counter perceived internal and external threats post-conflict.

Ali Khan Mahmudabad is an associate professor and the head of the department of political science at Ashoka University, Sonipat,
Ashoka University associate professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad. (X)
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, Razaullah Nizamani alias Abu Saiullah,.
The digital countermeasures during Op Sindoor included blocking approximately 8,000 social media accounts, 90% of which were Pakistan-based.

Overview

  • Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad was arrested on May 18 over social media posts critical of Operation Sindoor, following complaints by a BJP youth leader and the Haryana Women’s Commission.
  • Government cyber teams blocked approximately 8,000 social media accounts, with a majority linked to Pakistan, as part of efforts to counter disinformation during the conflict.
  • In Assam, authorities have detained 71 individuals, including an AIUDF MLA, for alleged pro-Pakistan and anti-national comments related to the military operation.
  • Haryana Police arrested two individuals, including a travel vlogger, on charges of espionage for allegedly passing sensitive information to Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
  • Critics, including opposition leaders and academic groups, have condemned the arrests as suppressing freedom of speech and dissent under the guise of national security.