JournalismPakistan.com | Published December 03, 2013 | JP Staff Reporter
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KARACHI: In a disturbing escalation of violence against media institutions, the Karachi offices of the Express Media Group came under attack for the second time in just four months, leaving a security guard injured and causing significant damage. The incident unfolded on Monday evening when eyewitnesses reported at least four armed assailants launching a brazen assault.
The attackers, reportedly armed with firearms and homemade bombs, targeted the bustling newsroom complex around 7:00 pm local time. Initial reports indicated that the assailants first hurled two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) towards the office building. Subsequently, they resorted to indiscriminate firing before the security guards could respond, prompting a brief exchange of gunfire.
The Express Media Group's Karachi offices house several prominent media outlets, including Express News TV, The Express Tribune newspaper, Daily Express, and Sindh Express. The attack resulted in damage to approximately a dozen vehicles belonging to staff members, as shards of glass and debris littered the area.
This latest assault marks a troubling recurrence, as the same offices were targeted in August, when gunmen on motorcycles fired upon the premises, injuring a security guard and a female employee. The repetition of attacks has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists and media personnel in Pakistan, where such incidents have become distressingly common.
In response to the attack, journalists' unions swiftly condemned the violence and announced plans for nationwide protests scheduled for Tuesday. The unions expressed solidarity with the affected media group and demanded enhanced security measures to safeguard media personnel across the country.
The Express Media Group, known for its robust reporting and editorial stance, has been at the forefront of news coverage in Pakistan, often tackling sensitive and critical issues. The repeated assaults on its offices underscore the precarious environment in which journalists operate, facing threats from various quarters ranging from militant groups to unidentified assailants.
The incident has reignited debates on press freedom and safety in Pakistan, where journalists routinely face intimidation, threats, and violence in the line of duty. It also highlights the urgent need for authorities to investigate these attacks thoroughly, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure the protection of media freedoms.
Image courtesy: The Express Tribune
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