Voice of America journalist killed in Pakistan

A journalist working for Voice of America Pashtu radio was shot dead by gunmen claiming to be belonging to Tehrik Taliban Pakistan in Mohmand Agency on Tuesday.

Mukaram Khan Atif was killed when he was coming out of a Masjed. During the military operation in Mohmand Agency, 43-year-old Mukaram Khan left his home for nearby Shabqadar sub-division of Charsadda district.

According to locals, he was attacked by two motorcyclists with their faces covered; the armed persons entered the mosque where the slain journalist was offering Maghreb prayer.

Prayer leader Nasar Minullah also received bullets but he is out of danger. Khan was rushed to Peshawar but, according to police officials, he was hit in the head to pronounced dead upon reaching hospital.

Talking to rediff.com via phone from an undisclosed location Taliban spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan claimed responsibility for killing Khan.

"We warned him a number of times to stop anti-Taliban and pro-American reporting but he did not pay heed and finally he met his fate; we claimed responsibility of his killing. We warned all those media persons working and promoting American agenda to stop their activities otherwise they will meet the same fate."

Ihsan added, "There are some other reporters who are on our hit list and soon they will be targeted."

Press watchdog Reporters without Borders in a recent report has revealed that Pakistan was the deadliest country for the media in 2011 with at least eight journalists killed in connection with their work.

Photograph: Mukaram Khan Atif