The main gate of the house was damaged in the attack which happened just over two weeks after an explosive device was found and subsequently defused by the Bomb Disposal Squad near Baghwan’s house.
Around 6:25am two masked men riding on a motorcycle threw a hand grenade at the main gate of Baghwan’s house which went off with a loud bang.
According to the police, it was a China-made grenade. “We’ve registered an FIR on the complaint of Jamshed Baghwan,” an official of the Yakatot police station told The Express Tribune.
Talking about the 2kg device found on March 19 outside Baghwan’s house, he said that it was defused because it was spotted by the family on time.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Minister for Industries Shaukat Ali Yousafzai condemned the attack and ordered investigation.
Baghwan is a senior journalist and the attack on his house is, in fact, an attack on free media, Yousafzai said. It’s the government responsibility to protect journalists, he added and directed the city police chief to consult media persons and chalk out a security plan for them.
Meanwhile, the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) condemned the attack and demanded thorough investigation.
KhUJ President Nisar Mehmood and General Secretary Tariq Afaq said Baghwan is a senior journalist and such attacks would not be tolerated. The government should fulfill its responsibility to protect journalists.
The KhUJ will stage a demonstration outside the Peshawar Press Club at 1pm on Monday to protest against the attack.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 7th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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Attack on Express group is a clear distinction for them for fighting terrorism in Pakistan on the front lines. We don't want this to happen but why Express only why not Jang and other groups. The state is not only incapable but also often found accomplice in crimes. Until yesterday we were criticizing the courts for releasing the terrorists on account of weak prosecution, now PML N is releasing the rests directly in the name of illegal talks.
All my sympathies and duas are for Jamshed Baghwan and family. Please continue exercising all humanely possible cautions. The newspaper of today.......Express Tribune. All the TV channels were silent on this incident and and no mention of it anywhere. All members of the fraternity should express unequivocal support and stand shoulder to shoulder at such a time. Salams
i find it interesting how little mention there is of this attack on other newspapers. one could expect a little support from fellow professionals. sadly this is not the case. how "free" is our media exactly?
Kudos to express, keep up the good work.