The IFJ is saddened to report on the death of a GEO news journalist in a recent twin bomb explosion that killed at least five people and wounded dozens more in Karachi, Pakistan.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is saddened to report on the death of a GEO news journalist in the twin bomb explosions that killed at least five people and wounded dozens more in Karachi, Pakistan, on 22 November 2013.
Two simultaneous explosions went off in the densely-crowded Federal B area of Ancholi on Friday night. Eyewitnesses said the first blast took place in a motorcycle parked near a crowded tea shop where dozens of people were having tea. Another was placed in a bike parked outside a confectionery shop.
Officials from the local bomb disposal squad said both explosions were carried out through Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) weighing around five to six kilograms containing nails and ball bearings.
Salik Ali Jafri was severely injured in the blast and later died in hospital from his injuries. He joined Geo News in 2008. His death brings the tally of journalists killed in Pakistan this year to ten.
“Pakistan has been among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists over the last five years,” the IFJ said. “Impunity is rife and sadly now a young journalist joins the list of the fallen in 2013.”
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for twin bomb attacks in Ancholi.
This month, the IFJ called on Pakistan’s newly-elected government to “dispel the impression of indifference in the face of deadly assaults against journalists” to ensure that they are investigated to identify and punish all those connected to these crimes.
