Journalists caught in crossfire
ISLAMABAD, July 3: Reporters and photographers were the worst victims of the crossfire between the personnel of law enforcement agencies and the students of Lal Masjid as one of them died and four others injured while covering the event on Tuesday.
The most unfortunate was Javed Khan of Daily Markaz who lost his life after he was hit by a bullet thought to have been fired by the Rangers who had taken up position on the rooftop of a school in front of the environment ministry near the mosque.
Mr Khan, who received bullets in his chest and neck, was immediately taken to the CDA Hospital in an ambulance, but he could not survive.
Mr Khan was also associated with a UK-based DM Digital TV.
Another TV cameraman Israr Ahmed, working for CNBC channel, is struggling for his life at Shifa International Hospital where he was brought in a critical condition.
According to eye-witnesses, Israr Ahmed too received bullets fired by the Rangers from the rooftops of some of the nearby houses.
Hospital sources said, Israr’s condition is stated to be critical as one of the bullets has damaged his spinal cord. Both Javed Khan and Israr Ahmed were injured when they were filming the burning vehicles parked inside the building of the ministry of environment.
Another photographer Wahab Saleem of The Post suffered a bullet injury on his hand. Mr Saleem, however, was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment at the CDA Hospital. Azhar bin Karim of Aaj TV was hurt in stampede.
Earlier, bureau chief of Geo TV Absar Alam was injured after he was hit by a stone thrown by the students of the Lal Masjid. He was taken to the Federal Government Services Hospital where doctors performed stitching on his head. Later, he was allowed to go home.
Online adds: The students of Lal Masjid reportedly misbehaved with journalists and tried to snatch their cameras.
According to eyewitnesses, the students adopted harsh behaviour with the journalists who were providing live-coverage of the clash.
Source: Dawn
Date:7/4/2007
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