Unidentified assailants riding a motorbike lobbed a hand grenade on ARY News office and fired several shots on Wednesday evening. Security guards present at the office entrance retaliated swiftly forcing the attackers to flee away dropping pamphlets.
Global terror outfit Daesh’s Afghanistan chapter claimed responsibility of the attack in the pamphlets ‘in reaction to the channels coverage of ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb’.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif denounced the attack in strongest words. He directed the authorities to provide security to ARY News employees.
Information Minister Pervez Rasheed while condemning the attack resolved to eliminate all terrorists from the country. He said the government holds attack on journalist fraternity as an attack on democracy in the state.
Rasheed vowed that all resources will be utilized to eradicate terrorism menace from the soil.
Political leaders visit ARY News’ Islamabad office
Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan arrived at ARY News office that came under attack today.
In his word with anchorpersons Sami Ibrahim and Kashif Abbasi, Khan said he was nearby when he heard of the blast and came to inquire well being of staffers and express solidarity with media. He said we stand with ARY News in every difficult time.
He said the media itself has been through a difficult phase and we acknowledge its sacrifices for Pakistan and democracy.
The PTI chief however said in the presence of National Action Plan (NAP) terrorism and crime has reduced countrywide, and hoped for it to be completely rooted out.
PTI leader Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Jehangir Tareen were also accompanied the party chairman.
Information Minister Pervez Rasheed and MQM lawmaker Rasheed Godil also arrived at ARY News office and extended their support to staffers.
They denounced the cowardly attack and reiterated the resolve to rid the country of all terrorists.
Condemnations pour in over the attack
Attk on ARY TV by terrorist is highly condemnable.Whole Nation clearly rejected terrorist misplaced ideology&is united to finish terrorism-1
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 13, 2016
& terrorists’ mindset once for all.Such cowardly&desperate acts against any segment of society can’t deter our resolve of eliminating them-2 — AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 13, 2016
We firmly stand united with our media fraternity in our collective effort of bringing enduring peace and security to Pakistan-3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 13, 2016
Chairman #PPP @BBhuttoZardari condemns grenade attack and terrorists firing on #ARYNews office https://t.co/hgcgI5hVfp — BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) January 13, 2016
Yet another senseless attack today on #ARY offices my prayers for the recovery of the injured. Strong action required against all terrorists
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) January 13, 2016
I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on #ARYNews office. The government has failed to protect the media companies. — Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) January 13, 2016
یہ دہشت گرد حملہ اے آروائی پر نہیں بلکہ پاکستان میں میڈیاکی آزادی پر حملہ ہے #MQM https://t.co/tjYmlzzU8O pic.twitter.com/ZriVL7q8MV
— MQM (@OfficialMqm) January 13, 2016
اسلام آبادمیں اے آروائی کے دفترپر مسلح دہشت گردوں کا دستی بم حملہ قابل مذمت ہے ۔الطاف حسین #MQM #Pakistan https://t.co/tjYmlzzU8O — MQM (@OfficialMqm) January 13, 2016
Chairman #PPP @BBhuttoZardari &#President #PPPP @AAliZardari strongly condemn the attack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL in #Islamabad @Salman_ARY — Info Secretary PPPP (@InfoSecPPPP) January 13, 2016
#PTI condemns in most strong terms attack on Islamabad office of @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL — PTI (@PTIofficial) January 13, 2016
Deeply shocked about the attack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL in Islamabad! @Salman_ARY we stand with you and the journalists. Pl be safe — SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) January 13, 2016
Attack on Ary a cowardly attempt to muzzle voices speaking the truth. We cannot allow independent voices to be silenced thru acts of terror. — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 13, 2016
The cowardly attack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL in Islamabad is highly condemnable! Gross aggression on freedom of press in Pakistan! — Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) January 13, 2016
Cowardly attack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL office in Isb..voices agst terror cannot be silenced..Pakistan will always stand with and for peace! — Fauzia Kasuri PTI (@FauziaKasuri) January 13, 2016
Prayers & thoughts with @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL. In the line of fire @Salman_ARY stay safe — Sharmila faruqi (@sharmilafaruqi) January 13, 2016
strongly condemn attack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL @Salman_ARY — Ali Muhammad Khan (@Ali_MuhammadPTI) January 13, 2016
Strongly condemn attack on ARY news! Govt must take notice of such attacks & their perpetrators! Quetta & ARY attacks worrisome! — Ejaz Chaudhary (@EjazChaudhary) January 13, 2016
Shocked and horrified about the #terroristAttack on @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL office in #Islamabad @Salman_ARY my prayers and solidarity with you 🙏🏻 — Aisam ul Haq Qureshi (@aisamhqureshi) January 13, 2016
Strongly condemned the attack on #ARYNews. This attack is not on Channel its on Freedom of Journalism. — Abdul Aleem Khan (@aleemkhan_pti) January 13, 2016
CPJ condemns grenade attack on offices of Pakistani broadcaster – https://t.co/FJ7hCMuYK7 — CPJ (@pressfreedom) January 13, 2016
