Three homemade Bombs Hurled into Journalists House in Gilgit, Pakistan
On July 23, unknown persons hurled three home-made bombs into the home of Khursheed Ahmed, Bureau Chief of daily Khabrain in the city of Gilgit, capital city of the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Mr. Ahmed is also the President of Gilgit Press Club. Two of the three bombs went off while third one could not explode the blasts caused damage to the house roof and smashed a toilet in his lawn but caused no loss to seven inmates in his house. The attackers fled the scene under the cover of darkness.
Press reports quoting Mr. Ahmed said the attack could be the result of his support for the administration’s decision to close down weekly publications, K-2. Azan, Naqara, Wadi, and others, for publishing provocative statements of religious factions.
Mr. Ahmed said he had no personal enmity but added that he had strongly opposed a proposed dialogue between the local administration and the members of banned sectarian parties in Gilgit in connection with the week-long deteriorating law and order situation in Gilgit in a high-level official meeting on Sunday. “Some body present in the meeting must have conveyed my views to the fanatics and it might be a reprisal”. He said the chief secretary Northern Areas Nadeem Manzoor had assured him that the ambit of investigation would be extended to those present in the Sunday meeting.
This was is the second time that his house was targeted. Unidentified persons had hurled a similar home made bomb on March 3, 2005 causing loss to his property.
The general secretary of Gilgit Press Club, Manzar Shigri condemned the act and dubbed it as terrorizing attempt of few fanatics. President Gilgit Union of Journalists, Imtiaz Ali Taj said they had already intimated security officials regarding the threats to journalists but no concrete steps were taken to safeguard lives and property of the journalists working in the area. He condemned the attack and demanded thorough inquiry into the matter.
Police are investigating and have arrested at least persons.
Source: PPF
Date:7/26/2005
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