Two TOLO News journalists killed in Afghanistan double bombing

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 September 2018

A double bombing in Kabul resulted in the deaths of two TOLO News journalists, Samim Faramarz and Ramiz Ahmadi. This tragedy underscores the risks that journalists in Afghanistan face while covering the news.

Summary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - At least two journalists were killed on Wednesday in a double bombing in the Afghan capital Kabul, according to news reports.

TOLO News published that its reporter Samim Faramarz and cameraman Ramiz Ahmadi were killed by the second blast while covering the first, which occurred at a wrestling club in a Shi'ite neighborhood. No group immediately claimed responsibility, reports said.

"This latest tragic killing of two TOLO News journalists, Samim Faramarz and Ramiz Ahmadi, underscores the extreme dangers facing Afghan journalists," said Steven Butler, CPJ's Asia program coordinator. "Afghan journalists have shown incredible bravery covering the news while being repeatedly targeted by a cynical enemy."

In April, at least nine journalists were among the civilians killed in Kabul when a suicide bomber disguised as a member of the media targeted a group of journalists who had arrived to cover an earlier blast, Agence France-Presse reported at the time.

Afghanistan is the deadliest country for journalists in 2018, with at least 10 killed in relation to their work prior to Wednesday’s attack, according to CPJ research. – A CPJ statement

KEY POINTS:

• Two TOLO News journalists killed in Kabul bombing.
• Samim Faramarz and Ramiz Ahmadi targeted during reporting.
• Afghanistan remains the deadliest country for journalists.
• At least nine journalists died in a previous attack in April.
• CPJ emphasizes the bravery of Afghan journalists in danger.