Senior journalist Aftab Alam killed in Karachi

With this latest target of ‘unidentified gunmen’, the number of journalists killing in last 24 hours has reached two.

Last night, a satellite engineer of DSNG van, Arshad Jafri, associated with Geo News was gunned down in Bahadurabad area. His associate was also injured in the attack.

In a latest killing, the victim is identified is Aftab Alam. He was a journalist based in Karachi. Reports said was leaving to pick up his children from school when the gunmen targeted him near his residence in North Karachi’s sector 11-C.

Rescue sources said he was being taken to hospital after suffering bullet wounds but he died on the way.

According to ARY correspondent Kamil Arif, Mr. Alam worked on business beats in different news organizations.

He also worked for Geo News in the past.

Police said they were investigating the case. However, sources in the police said the same group was seemingly involved in targeting journalists in the city.

“Condemnation of today’s violence by government officials will ring hollow unless the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice. Police must clearly establish a motive for the attack,” said Bob Dietz, Committee to Protect Journalists’ Asia programme coordinator. “If the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ever going to establish its credibility as a protector of journalists, now is the time.”

Meanwhile, Karachi Union of Journalists announced to stage protest against killing of Aftab Alam outside Karachi Press Club at 4pm today.

Aftab Alam, senior journalist shot dead in North #Karachi in broad day light, mocks d claim of #Rangers that law & order has improved #MQM

— Mohammad Anwar (@MAnwarMQM) September 9, 2015

Strongly condemn targeted killing of senior journalist Aftab Alam in Khi. May Allah bless him & give patience to his family. Ameen. — Ejaz Chaudhary (@EjazChaudhary) September 9, 2015

Another act of terrorism against journalists: Senior journalist Aftab Alam shot dead in #Karachi — Mansoor Ali Khan (@_Mans00r) September 9, 2015

Journalist Aftab Alam shot dead in North #Karachi – violence has returned full scale — Murtaza Ali Shah (@MurtazaGeoNews) September 9, 2015

Senior Journalist Aftab Alam shot dead in Karachi. #ThankYouRaheelSharif pic.twitter.com/imNxBdCSw6

— Fatah (@fatah_pak) September 9, 2015

#Another journalist killed. Shocking. Another family bereaved. Aftab Alam was a low key man. The killing however follows a typical pattern.

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) September 9, 2015