Deadly attack on news van: Samaa TV camera operator Taimoor Abbas killed

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 8 years ago

KARACHI: An assistant cameraman with Samaa TV was killed Sunday in an attack by unidentified gunmen on the channel’s news-gathering van in Karachi.

Samaa.tv reported the assailants on a bike opened fire at the vehicle that left 22-year old Taimoor Abbas critically injured with wounds to his head and chest.

He was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

Samaa said its team was on its way to cover an attack on a police vehicle at KDA roundabout.

AFP reported that when the television crew arrived at the scene, the gunmen started shooting.

A vehicle belonging to the same channel was also attacked in September 2015.

Police are investigating Sunday’s attack.

Image courtesy: Samaa.tv

Don't Miss These

Journalist Tufail Ahmed Rind shot dead in Mirpur Mathelo ambush

October 08, 2025: Journalist Tufail Ahmed Rind was shot dead in Mirpur Mathelo while taking his children to school. PFUJ condemns the killing, announcing nationwide protests.

Journalist Imtiaz Mir shot in Karachi, dies during treatment

September 29, 2025: Anchorperson Imtiaz Mir of Metro 1 News has died after being shot in Karachi’s Malir area. Police link the attack to a Jacobabad land dispute.

Senior DawnNews journalist Khawar Husain found dead in Sanghar

August 17, 2025: Senior DawnNews journalist Khawar Husain was found dead in his car in Sanghar with a gunshot wound, police confirmed. Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah has ordered a high-level investigation into the mysterious death.

Baloch journalist Latif Sajidi killed in targeted attack in Awaran

May 24, 2025: Baloch journalist Latif Sajidi was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in his home in Awaran, Balochistan. His family has faced similar violence before, including enforced disappearances. Media silence raises concerns over press freedom and safety.

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.

Punjab journalist shot and killed by motorcycle attackers

December 15, 2024: Journalist Malik Zafar Iqbal Naich was tragically shot dead in Rahim Yar Khan while distributing newspapers. The IFJ and PFUJ strongly condemn the killing, urging swift justice amid Pakistan's deteriorating safety for journalists.

Pakistan loses 11th journalist this year as violence escalates in border region

November 22, 2024: Young journalist Jinan Hussain becomes Pakistan's 11th media casualty of 2024 in a devastating attack on a passenger convoy in Kurram district that claimed 41 lives near the Afghan border.

Chief Minister orders action after journalist Mohammed Bachal's murder

August 28, 2024: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has ordered immediate action following the murder of journalist Mohammed Bachal in Ghotki. The government is intensifying anti-dacoit operations.

Newsroom

South Korea passes tougher penalties for false media reports

December 24, 2025 South Korea’s parliament passed a law imposing tougher penalties on the media for false information, raising concerns from journalists over press freedom and investigative reporting.

Israel extends foreign media restriction law to 2027

December 24, 2025 Israel’s Knesset has extended emergency legislation allowing limits on foreign media outlets until 2027, prompting renewed concern from press freedom groups over long-term impacts on reporting.

CPJ urges probe into attacks on Bangladesh media

December 24, 2025 Press freedom groups led by CPJ call for swift, transparent investigations into attacks on Bangladesh media, warning that violence against news outlets threatens free expression ahead of elections.

China bans obscene content sharing on private messaging

December 24, 2025 China has introduced new rules banning the sharing of obscene content on private messaging platforms, raising concerns among media analysts over censorship, privacy, and digital news circulation.

Indonesian journalists urge fair policies to support media

December 24, 2025 Indonesian journalists urge the government to adopt fair, non-discriminatory policies to support journalism as newsrooms face layoffs, digital disruption, and pressure from social media platforms.