JournalismPakistan.com | Published August 05, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
Two people were killed in a blast targeting workers for an Afghan television station on Sunday, while elsewhere in the war-torn nation at least seven police officers died in an “insider attack” by Taliban loyalists, officials said.
The deadly attacks come amid surging violence across Afghanistan even while the U.S. is negotiating with the Taliban for a possible peace agreement.
The first attack occurred in Kabul, when a “sticky bomb”— a type of homemade device often attached to vehicles with magnets — went off around 5:30 p.m., interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said.
A “bus carrying the employees of Khurshid TV exploded in the Taimani area,” he said, referring to a bustling neighborhood in central Kabul. “Two bypassers killed, and four others, including three employees of Khurshid TV injured.”
Social media pictures showed a white minibus with extensive damage to its front. Zabiullah Doorandish, a journalist with Khurshid TV, said three of his colleagues had been injured, including one journalist. “We had received a warning recently by the [security services], that the Taliban may target us,” he told AFP.
No group immediately claimed responsibility but the Taliban in June threatened media outlets broadcasting anti-Taliban advertisements. “They shall become military targets for the mujahideen in the capital, provinces, cities and rural areas and none of their offices, journalists, workers and personnel shall retain any immunity,” the Taliban said in a June 24 statement.
Doorandish said he had not seen any anti-Taliban ads on the channel.
According to its Facebook page, the private Khurshid TV station is dedicated to showing cultural programs that “preach the main values of journalism, democracy, national unity, creation of understanding & trust among people.”
Afghanistan is the world’s deadliest place for journalists, who face many risks covering the conflict and who have sometimes been targeted for doing their job.
On Twitter, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani called the bus attack “a war crime.”
“I strongly condemn the attack on Khurshid Media. Deliberately targeting media and civilians is a war crime and those responsible will be held accountable,” he wrote. “Words cannot express how saddened I am to hear of your loss. I send my deepest condolences to the affected families.”
In the southern province of Kandahar, at least seven Afghan police officers were killed when a group of colleagues thought to be loyal to the Taliban opened fire, officials said. Jamal Naser Barekzai, spokesman for Kandahar’s provincial police chief, said the attack occurred at a police checkpoint.
Another security official put the toll at 11, while the Taliban claimed their infiltrators had killed 14 “gunmen.” Insider attacks, sometimes referred to as “green on green,” are a constant threat in Afghanistan for international and Afghan forces alike. — AFP
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.