Journalists mourn Ahmad’s death

KHOST CITY/LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Journalists in southeastern Khost and southern Helmand provinces on Monday expressed their deep sorrow and grief over the death of AFP reporter Sardar Ahmad in Thursday’s attack on a luxury hotel in Kabul.

The journalists associated with foreign and local media outlets in Khost held a memorial service for Ahmad, who was killed along with his spouse and two minor children in the gun attack that also left four foreigners dead.

The mourning community called Ahmad’s killing along with his family a brutal act and a new example of violence against journalists. The participants urged parties to the conflict to ensure journalists were protected and unharmed during their operations.

Khost Social and Media Centre official Farooq Jan Mangal said that they were concerned over the increasing graph of violence against reporters in the country. He said 17 cases of violence against journalists, including Ahmad’s killing, took place during the first three months of 2014.

Information and Culture Director Amin Shah Ulfat said the killing of Ahmad was a heart-rending incident. He condemned all forms of violence against journalists.

Killid Radio head in Khost, Naqibullah Matanwal, said the increasing violence against journalists was putting the media gains at stake.

His BBC counterpart Ilyas Wahdat said Afghanistan was passing through a critical juncture due to political and security transitions and many groups would try to pressurise journalists into working for their interest.

He said a decrease in violence could help enable journalists to perform their duty in a more professional and responsible manner.

Meanwhile, the Independent Journalists Union in southern Helmand province also condemned the killing of Ahmad. In a statement, the union demanded special attention and respect to reporters and civilians from all parties to the conflict.

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