Journalist killed in Swat

by rumana husain | February 18, 2009 at 07:44 pm

375 views | 67 Recommendations | 14 comments

What irony! The journalist was killed while covering a peace rally. Swat, before the taliban militants took it over, used to be a tourist haven, known for its scenic mountains and beautiful valleys where people are poor but hardworking. All that has been blown up now with repression, fear, bombs and killings.

MINGORA: Musa Khankhel, A local journalist, was killed by unknown assailants in Matta area of Swat district on Wednesday.

Musa Khankhel, correspondent of The News and Geo TV was kidnapped by unidentified people from Matta area, where he was covering the convoy of the Tehreek Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi’s chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad.

Later his bullet riddled body was found near Dedpani area of Matta sub-division. He became the third journalist killed in the Swat valley during the turmoil, while eight media men have so far been killed in the violence-hit districts of the Frontier province and adjacent tribal belt.

Khankhel was associated with journalism from 1993. He had expressed his fears against certain elements several times while covering the conflict.

Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and Peshawar Press Club (PPC) have strongly condemned the killing of Musa Khankhel and have demanded of the government to immediately constitute an inquiry tribunal and arrest the perpetrators. KhUJ urged the government to protect the lives of journalists. They said that the government should award exemplary punishment to the killers of the journalist.

The journalist bodies also declared that Thursday would be observed as a black day to mourn the brutal killing of the journalist. The journalists would fasten black ribbons around their arms and stage a protest demonstration at Peshawar Press Club.

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Sanjay Jha

at 20:38 on February 18th, 2009

This is very sad tale. It is beyond anybody's comprehension that why a journalist covering peace march was killed. He was shot dead at the spot where the clerics were to meet. He is the second journalist to be murdered by suspected Islamists in Swat valley in the last three years. This story has already been covered by another nowpublic contributor and you can read his post here.

Ravi Dixit

at 21:08 on February 18th, 2009

Journalism is turning out to be a dangerous profession!

Pythiian1

at 21:27 on February 18th, 2009

Thanks for the story, Rumana,. It is really unfortunate for Mr. Khankhel and his family.

Amy Judd

at 21:49 on February 18th, 2009

Very sad news

nehalarya

at 23:37 on February 18th, 2009

Thanks for story, but this story is already posted by shinwari

rumana husain

at 23:46 on February 18th, 2009

thanks sanjay and nehalarya for your comments and the link to the already posted story, which i had missed seeing. ravi, reporting from conflict areas has always been - in many countries - a dangerous job for journalists. this is obviously not the first case of its kind and brutalism against journalists from all factions must be condemned in the strongest of terms. pythiian, amy and cypresso, thanks for your comments.

Ravi Dixit

at 03:45 on February 19th, 2009

Hats off to the media for standing up and being counted.

HAMID52

at 03:03 on February 19th, 2009

This is a sad story.... though I hope the journalist unions also cover the attacks by American missiles on Pakistani citizens.

Best

harringtola

at 14:53 on February 19th, 2009

Good report. Very important subject. If journalists are not safe the world will be ignorant of the news.

rumana husain

at 20:30 on February 19th, 2009

thank you for your comment hamid52. harrigtola, you are right, but that's what those who kill don't want the world to know...the real news.

Davidswat81 (not verified)

at 09:55 on February 26th, 2009

I have read the story so many times and know about the brutal kiling of Musa. The most confusing thing is when so many people write unknown assailants has kiled musa shame on media and people of pakistan by fearing to call spade a spade. The whole country know who do it but no one is ready to condemn the in human taliban. This pathetthic and frustrated with these people Government of Pakistan is making deals giving amensty to those who have beheaded people, comited crimes against humanity and yet the state in recognition of thier services has surendered and handed over swat to these rabid fanatics with a licence to kill at will. The people of valley have now lost whatever liltle civil liberty due the officialising murderes of innocent people by State of Pakistan.

I dont know how many more musa wil be recieving bulets wil and how many more children likes musa's children wil becoming orphans is there any one to stop these forces of darkness and criminnality from snatching smile from the lips of inocent woman children and men for the promotion of there confused and terror riden agenda will any body------------

Habib Hassn

at 03:59 on February 27th, 2009

Very nice comments by Divid. I realy impressed from the adequit words used for talibs criminals.

jazzyzazzy

at 13:53 on February 26th, 2009

This is so upsetting the irony is that the journalist was promoting peace.But thats most likely why they killed him.Those murdering bsdt dont give a hoot for nothing other than their own misguided insanity.more children as orphans for what ? once again it all comes down to greed.god love them all even the wicked for they know no better.Most are brainwashed.

jazzyzazzy

at 06:31 on February 27th, 2009

As sad as the news is,my heart goes out to the family left behind to grieve the loss of a peace loving soul.Just a thought!?I Think it would be appropiate for every Journalist worldwide to wear a black arm band out of respect for Musa.I doubt if they will.

However,Love and light to all who knew and loved Musa,for it is often those left behind to grieve such a loss that suffer most.