Senior Pakistani Journalist Matiullah Jan Granted Bail Amid Drug–Terrorism Case
November 30, 2024
Syria’s Journalists Caught Between Bullets and Censorship
December 1, 2024
December 1, 2024 – Pakistan –
Pakistani security forces killed three militants allegedly involved in the assassination of journalist Khalil Jibran during a targeted operation in the Sultan Khel area of Landi Kotal, Khyber District. The Frontier Corps launched the operation based on intelligence reports linking the suspects to Jibran’s murder and the killings of two police officers in separate incidents.
Khalil Jibran, a senior journalist and former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club, was murdered on June 18, 2024. He was returning home after dinner with friends when armed men intercepted his vehicle, dragged him out, and shot him 19 times. He suffered severe injuries, including multiple bullet wounds and a broken arm, indicating a violent struggle. The attackers fled the scene, and no militant group publicly claimed responsibility at the time. The brutality of the attack shocked the journalist community, prompting widespread protests and demands for justice across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Journalists accused authorities of negligence and formed committees to pressure police for a serious investigation.
Jibran had faced prior threats and survived grenade and bomb attacks, which he had reported to the authorities. Despite this, no protective measures were provided. His death reignited debates around press freedom and journalist safety in Pakistan’s tribal districts, where reporters often operate under threat from militant groups and political actors.
Security officials confirmed that the three militants killed in the operation were directly linked to Jibran’s assassination. Weapons and communication equipment were recovered from the scene. The operation is being hailed by officials as a “major success” in the fight against impunity and militancy in the region. However, press freedom advocates caution that killing suspects is not a substitute for a full judicial process.
The elimination of the alleged perpetrators is a significant development in a case that had long symbolized the dangers of journalism in conflict-prone areas. Still, lasting justice requires transparency, legal accountability, and systemic reforms to protect journalists from violence and ensure that threats to press freedom are addressed through institutions, not just armed responses.
Reference –
