Mystery attack: Gunmen kill journalist in Kalat

QUETTA: Unidentified assailants shot dead a 37-year-old journalist in Balochistan, police said on Friday. Muhammad Jan, who worked for the Urdu-language daily Qudrat, was shot late Thursday while he was travelling home on a motorcycle in Kalat district.

"Two attackers on a motorcycle opened fire on him, using a pistol and killing him on the spot," senior police officer Muhammad Ali told AFP. The attackers fled the scene, he added.

Pakistan is ranked among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.

However the motive for Jan's killing is not yet clear, Ali said. He had not complained of any threats from militant groups or mentioned any family or tribal dispute.

So far, no group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing. Ali said the police were investigating the case.

Jan was also working as a press secretary for the Balochistan media council, as well as a teacher in a government-run school.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2017.