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

Dive Deeper

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

Appeals grow for Vietnam journalist Pham Doan Trang's release

December 15, 2025 International rights groups mark the anniversary of Pham Doan Trang’s sentence, renewing calls for her release and highlighting ongoing risks to press freedom and independent reporting in Vietnam.

Rights groups condemn Asia press crackdowns

December 15, 2025 Press freedom groups condemn December crackdowns across Asia, warning governments against using security and regulatory laws to curb journalism and urging stronger legal protections.

Bangladesh police detain senior journalist after critical reports

December 15, 2025 Bangladesh police detained a senior journalist in Dhaka for questioning after critical reporting, prompting renewed concerns from press groups over media freedom and legal intimidation.

Hong Kong court convicts Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion

December 15, 2025 Hong Kong’s High Court convicts media tycoon Jimmy Lai of sedition and collusion under the national security law, intensifying concerns over press freedom and judicial independence in the city.

Pakistan’s ad ban on Dawn sparks media freedom concerns

December 14, 2025 Dawn Media Group says Pakistan has imposed an unannounced ban on government advertising, drawing condemnation from media bodies over press freedom and independent journalism.