Senior Journalist Among Three Killed in Balochistan Bomb Blast
Image Source: Arab News
In a devastating incident on Friday, a bomb blast in Pakistan’s Balochistan province claimed the lives of Maulana Siddique Mengal, a senior journalist and president of the Khuzdar Press Club, along with two others. The attack, targeting Mengal’s vehicle near Chomrok Chowk on the outskirts of Khuzdar town, also left eight others injured. The blast occurred as the journalist arrived at the spot where a remote-controlled roadside bomb had been planted.
Mengal, a prominent figure in the local media and a provincial office-bearer of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) party, was known for his contributions to the newspaper “Watan.” The tragic incident, which coincided with World Press Freedom Day, has raised questions about the motive behind the attack, with authorities yet to determine whether it was related to Mengal’s media work or his political affiliations.
Condemnations poured in from various quarters, with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti directing the police to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators. The Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) also staged a protest demanding justice for Mengal and urging the government to ensure the safety of journalists in the region.
The attack adds to the long list of terrorist activities that have plagued Balochistan, including recent incidents such as twin landmine blasts in Duki district that claimed one life and injured 20 others. Despite efforts to curb such violence, the region remains volatile, as highlighted by a recent spate of attacks targeting police officers and civilians.
The grim reality of the dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan was underscored by the World Press Freedom Index, where the country ranked 150 out of 180 countries in 2023. A report by Freedom Network revealed that at least 53 journalists were murdered in Pakistan from 2012 to 2022, with convictions secured in only two cases.
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