X location data exposes network of anti-Pakistan accounts operating from India

ISLAMABAD: A series of anti-Pakistan, pro-separatist and politically motivated X accounts, including ones posing as Afghan, Baloch or Western-based users, appear to be operating from India, according to the platform’s automated location tracking and system warnings.

Several accounts that frequently post hostile content about Pakistan, or amplify separatist narratives, are now displaying either an Indian location tag or an X-generated alert cautioning that the user may be masking their real location through a proxy or VPN.

One striking example is the X account of Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Afghan interim government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The account, created in August 2021, shows its base location as India, despite presenting itself as an official Afghan source.

A number of Baloch separatist-linked accounts have also been flagged. The handle “Free Balochistan,” which regularly spreads anti-state propaganda, displays India as its operating location. Another account, @Baluchifghter, which had more than 33,000 followers and was active in pushing separatist content, has recently been suspended after being reported to authorities.

X’s own system is also issuing warnings for several accounts, stating: “Country or region may not be accurate… this account may be connecting via a proxy — such as a VPN.”

The platform adds that proxies can mask real locations and that location data “may not be accurate.” One such flagged profile is @Sajeda_Akhtar, which frequently posts political content linked to Baloch issues.

Another is @Amir_Baloch18, whose bio lists “Balochistan” as the location, yet X marks the account as being based in Central Asia, with an additional VPN warning.

In a surprising development, the profile of former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria, with over 165,000 followers, is also showing up as being operated from India, according to the platform’s location exposure.

Alongside Afghan and Baloch-linked accounts, numerous pro-Israel and MAGA-aligned profiles that routinely target Pakistan have also been flagged by X as being based in India or connecting through VPN networks that obscure their origins.

The pattern suggests a coordinated effort to shape online narratives through accounts that misrepresent their identity, geography or political affiliation. 

Australian journalist CJ Werleman notes that “roughly 90% of online disinformation originates in India, where government cyber units generate bogus content to advance India’s strategic objectives.” 

He quoted India-based fact-checking organization BOOM's report on how Hindu nationalist–aligned platforms are major sources of pro-Israel, anti-Ukraine and anti-Pakistan propaganda.

Werleman quoted another study showing India responsible for 76% of all anti-Islam hate online, as well as the lion’s share of global scam texts and calls targeting elderly and vulnerable people.