Taliban claim responsibility for journalist gunned down in Swabi

Haroon Khan was targeted outside his house by two unidentified assailants, says DPO

PESHAWAR: Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, on Friday, claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on journalist Haroon Khan. A statement from the militant group stated that Khan was killed on the suspicion that he was spying on the Taliban for security agencies.

Unidentified armed men shot dead a journalist in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa late on Thursday, with police suspecting that the incident was linked with a personal feud.

"Haroon Khan was targeted at around 8:25pm outside his house by two unidentified assailants and succumbed to his injuries on the spot," District Police Officer (DPO) Muhammad Sohaib said.

According to the DPO, Haroon was engaged in a land dispute with his stepbrother, saying an official demarcation by the revenue staff pertaining to the property was scheduled for Friday morning.

"We are investigating the case and the accused will be arrested soon," Sohaib added.

Police recovered seven to eight empty shells of AK-47 rifle from the scene of the crime. The assailants, they said, were on foot.