Afghan cop shot journalists in revenge

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 11 years ago

KABUL: The Afghan police officer who shot two Associated Press journalists did so in revenge for air raids by NATO forces on his village, police said Saturday.

German photographer Anja Niedringhaus and Canadian reporter Kathy Gannon were shot on Friday by a police officer in the eastern province of Khost while in their car. Niedringhaus died on the spot and Gannon was injured. "Naqibullah, commander of a police checkpoint, said in his confession that he shot the journalists to take revenge for the NATO air raids on his village in Ghorband valley," said Khost police official Baryalay Rawan.

The two journalists were covering the country's presidential elections in Tanai district, which has heavy Taliban presence.

The shooter was arrested by his colleagues. - AAP

Don't Miss These

New study shows alarming decline in press freedom in Pakistan

November 20, 2025: New data from the Worlds of Journalism Report shows rising threats, political pressures, and shrinking media freedom for Pakistani journalists working in an increasingly hostile environment.

Shahzeb Khanzada faces lawsuit threat in Canada over video

November 19, 2025: Shahid Bhatti threatens legal action against Shahzeb Khanzada and his wife in Canada, claiming their actions endangered his life and violated Canadian law.

Journalists condemn police handling of Imran Khan’s sisters

November 19, 2025: Journalists across Pakistan condemn police for allegedly roughing up Imran Khan’s sisters outside Adiala Jail, sparking outrage and raising questions about rights and accountability.

Minister says man who harassed Shahzeb Khanzada identified

November 19, 2025: Pakistan’s information minister says the man who harassed journalist Shahzeb Khanzada in Canada has been identified as a PTI worker, though BBC Urdu says it cannot verify the claim.

Top ARY News official criticizes double-faced journalism

November 18, 2025: ARY News President Ammad Yousaf criticizes double-faced journalism in Pakistan, highlighting opportunism and ethical concerns without naming any journalist directly.

Benazir Shah targeted by AI video as Shahzeb Khanzada faces backlash

November 17, 2025: Benazir Shah condemns AI harassment while Shahzeb Khanzada faces sharp criticism for agenda-driven coverage, raising questions about ethics and accountability in Pakistani journalism.

Shahzeb Khanzada, Shahbaz Gill clash intensifies on X

November 17, 2025: A heated exchange between Shahzeb Khanzada and Shahbaz Gill on X escalates after a viral mall confrontation involving a member of the public, underscoring rising hostility and polarization in Pakistan’s media sphere.

Viral video shows Shahzeb Khanzada harassed in public

November 16, 2025: Geo News anchor Shahzeb Khanzada was verbally harassed in a viral video while shopping. A fellow journalist condemns the attack and calls for respect and media safety.

Newsroom

Samoa PM bars Samoa Observer in escalating media dispute

November 20, 2025 Samoa’s prime minister has barred the Samoa Observer from Cabinet briefings, sparking condemnation from journalists and regional media groups over rising threats to press independence.

Asia sees rising press freedom risks amid China-style controls

November 20, 2025 Press freedom is declining in Asia as governments adopt China-style controls, with intensifying crackdowns in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Hong Kong, says RSF.

Thai indictment of journalist sparks cross-border press freedom concerns

November 20, 2025 Thai authorities indicted Australian journalist Murray Hunter, prompting warnings from press freedom groups about cross-border defamation risks and potential transnational repression in Southeast Asia

Thai court indicts Australian journalist over defamation

November 20, 2025 Bangkok court indicts Australian journalist Murray Hunter in a Malaysian defamation case, raising alarms over cross-border legal actions threatening press freedom and journalistic safety

Georgia urged to free jailed journalist Mzia Amaglobeli

November 19, 2025 CPJ urges Georgia to release journalist Mzia Amaglobeli after an appeals court upheld her two-year sentence, raising serious concerns over press freedom and political reprisals.