TTP claims killing Swabi journalist for spying

Marriyum condemns murder

SWABI: The killing of a local journalist took a new turn after the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed that Haroon Khan was gunned down because of his links with the intelligence agencies.

Manzoor Khan, the brother of the slain journalist, had nominated his two nephews in the first information report for the killing.

Haroon Khan, who worked for the print and electronic media, was killed near his house in Swabi city on Thursday. In a statement, the TTP said that Haroon Khan was targetted on the suspicion that he was spying on the Taliban.

However, District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Sohaib Ashraf said that the motive behind the murder was a property dispute. His brother said that a few days back a local court had given the verdict in favour of the deceased in the dispute over property.

The land was in the possession of his stepbrother Muhammad Ali. He said the official demarcation of the disputed property was scheduled to take place on Friday. His nephews Jawad and Hammad allegedly opened fire on him and killed him on the spot.

Meanwhile, Haroon Khan’s funeral prayer was held after Friday prayers at the Government High School playground in Swabi. He was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard.

Swabi District Nazim Ameer Rehman, officials of district administration, lawyers, police officials, politicians, journalists from different districts and local people attended the funeral.

The late journalist left behind a widow, two young sons and a daughter to mourn his death. His elder son is nine years old.

Meanwhile, the Gandhara Union of Journalists, Abaseen Union of Journalists, Swabi Union of Journalists and Independent Union of Journalists at a joint protest demonstration condemned the killing.

They gathered near the City Police Station and marched to Karnal Sher Khan Chowk. The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the accused and compensation for the bereaved family.

APP adds from Islamabad: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on Friday strongly condemned the murder of a senior journalist Haroon Khan in Swabi.