Journalist fatally shot in India

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 September 2024 |  IFJ Media Release

Salman Ali Khan, a broadcast journalist, was shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh. The International Federation of Journalists and the Indian Journalists Union have condemned the attack, urging for an immediate investigation.

Summary

Broadcast journalist Salman Ali Khan was fatally shot by unknown assailants in the western Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, India on September 17. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Indian Journalists Union (IJU), in strongly condemning the killing and urging the Indian government to conduct an immediate, transparent, and thorough investigation.

On the evening of September 17, a print journalist Salman Ali Khan also associated with a YouTube channel was fatally shot by three unidentified assailants riding on a motorcycle outside a local hospital in Rajgarh District of Madhya Pradesh.

Khan was accompanied by his nine-year-old son while riding his scooter when three unknown attackers approached and opened fire. Khan sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Akansha Sharma, lead officer of Sarangpur police station, confirmed that a case has been registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigations are underway. In February 2023, he received death threats and was attacked with a sword and knife due to personal enmity, leaving serious injuries to both him and his brother.

Khan is the third journalist killed in India in 2024, with journalist Shivshankar Jha killed in Bihar on June 25 by unknown assailants, and Sudarshan News reporter Ashutosh Srivastava fatally shot in Uttar Pradesh on May 13.

The IJU said: "The IJU demands justice for the slain journalists. IJU is concerned for the failure of the police to provide safeguards when the journalist was attacked, seriously injured, and then killed."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: "The IFJ strongly condemns the killing of Salman Ali Khan. State authorities must conduct a thorough and immediate investigation to ensure that those responsible are not allowed to escape with impunity."

KEY POINTS:

• Salman Ali Khan was shot on September 17 in Madhya Pradesh.
• He was attacked while accompanying his nine-year-old son.
• The attack was carried out by three assailants on a motorcycle.
• Khan was previously targeted with death threats earlier this year.
• This incident marks the third journalist killed in India in 2024.