Journalist among three killed in Khuzdar blast

KHUZDAR: At least three people, including journalist Mohammad Siddiq Mengal, were killed in a remote-controlled blast in Khuzdar, police told Geo News on Friday.

Mengal, a local veteran journalist and president of the Khuzdar Press Club, was targeted in the deadly blast when he was going to university from his home, the station house officer said, adding that his car was the target.

At least eight people were also injured as a result of the deadly explosion.

Two injured individuals in the blast later succumbed to their injuries with the death toll rising to three, said the station house officer.

The killed passers-by were seriously injured in the remote-controlled blast and were brought to the hospital, while the other eight injured in the blast are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, police said.

According to the police, the remote-controlled blast was carried out on the Sultan Ibrahim Khan Road on the National Highway.

This is not the first time Mengal has been targeted by attackers.

Police said that the journalist — who was associated with a local newspaper — escaped an assassination attempt a few months ago.

Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langau strongly condemned the Khuzdar blast and directed the relevant authorities to present a report.

In the video, which Geo News has access to, shows that the explosion occurred as soon as Mengal's vehicle turned towards the Sultan Ibrahim Khan Road.

The attack on the journalist comes as the world honours the work of journalists around the world on Press Freedom Day today.

Earlier today, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Friday said that journalism in Pakistan is "under threat" as the world commemorates Press Freedom Day.

On the day, the IFJ has also launched its 22nd annual South Asia Press Freedom Report, according to which, journalists have become "punching bags" in the fight between former prime minister Imran Khan and the establishment.

The report said that 60 journalists were issued legal notices while dozens were arrested and remain in custody.

It said that about eight journalists were charged with sedition, terrorism and incitement to violence.