India Roundup: India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts, US stays away from India-Pakistan tensions, China raises alarm over tensions
India tells X to block over 8,000 accounts
India has ordered X to block over 8,000 accounts, including those of Pakistani politicians, celebrities, and media outlets, amid rising tensions with Pakistan. X said Thursday, May 9, it is reluctantly complying with what it called government-imposed censorship, warning that noncompliance could lead to heavy fines or jail time for local staff. The platform noted many orders lacked clear justification or evidence and argued that blocking entire accounts suppresses free speech. AFP reports that the move follows a similar request to Meta, which removed a major Muslim news page from Instagram in India. "Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech," the statement said.
US to not get involved in India-Pakistan tensions
The U.S. says it won’t intervene in the escalating India-Pakistan conflict, calling it "fundamentally none of our business," Vice President JD Vance said Thursday. While the U.S. can’t control the nuclear-armed neighbours, it urges de-escalation, echoing calls from President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. "Look, we're concerned about any time nuclear powers collide and have a major conflict," Vance responded to a question on how concerned the Trump administration is about a potential nuclear war between the two countries, ABP reported.
China raises concern over escalating India-Pakistan tensions
China has expressed concern over rising India-Pakistan tensions and urged restraint, following Pakistani drone attacks and shelling along the Line of Control on Thursday, May 9. Indian forces shot down the drones as air raid sirens triggered blackouts across parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian addressed the escalating situation, stating, “We’ve shared China’s position yesterday on the ongoing situation between India and Pakistan. China is concerned over the current developments.” ABP added that He emphasised the importance of regional stability, adding, “India and Pakistan are and will always be each other’s neighbours. They’re both China’s neighbours as well. China opposes all forms of terrorism. We urge both sides to act in the larger interest of peace and stability, observe international law, including the UN Charter, remain calm, exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that may further complicate the situation.”
Pakistan shoots down more than two dozen drones launched by India
India launched multiple Israeli-made Harop drones targeting Pakistan overnight and into Thursday, May 9, damaging a military site and wounding four soldiers, according to Pakistani army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif. Pakistani forces shot down 25 drones, he told The Associated Press. Debris from one downed drone in Sindh province killed a civilian and injured another. One drone struck a military site near Lahore, injuring four soldiers, while another crashed in Rawalpindi near the capital, he added. "The armed forces are neutralising them as we speak," Sharif said on the state-run Pakistan Television, according to Fox News.
India strikes suspected militant group headquarters deep inside Pakistan
Video from early Wednesday, May 8, shows a bright flash at a residential Islamic seminary near Bahawalpur in central Pakistan, struck by India in retaliation for the killing of Indian tourists in Kashmir. The seminary had been evacuated amid speculation of a potential attack, but the family of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar remained, the group said. According to the Pakistani military, 13 people were killed, including 10 of Azhar’s relatives, among them women and children. Thousands gathered for their funerals at a local stadium, chanting “Allah Akbar” and other religious slogans, as reported by USA Today.
