Afghanistan Times
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KABUL: Unknown gunmen killed two employees of a local radio station in Taliqan city of Takhar province on Tuesday night, according to authorities.
Spokesman for Takhar Police Abdul Khalil Asir said unknown gunmen entered the Radio Hamsada office in Taliqan on Tuesday night and opened fire on staff, killing two.
According to reports a radio presenter and journalist were killed.
“Saddened and angered by the deaths of two young Afghan journalists who were killed as they worked at Radio Hamsada in Takhar,” he said in a tweet.
“It is time to end impunity for crimes against journalists,” said Asir.
Police have not yet released further details or the names of the deceased.
Asir did say however that immediately after the shooting, the gunmen fled the area.
He said the reason for the attack was not yet clear but that police have started an investigation.
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses said the incident took place just meters away from the governor’s office.
Speaking to Reuters, Radio Hamsad director, Semin Hussaini said both victims had been males in their 20s.
This was the second killing of journalists in Afghanistan this year.
Last month, Taliban kidnapped and then killed a part-time journalist, Javid Noori, whom they claimed was a government employee.
Afghan journalists are repeatedly targeted by insurgents. Last year 15 were killed.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Afghanistan is among the top three most dangerous countries in the world for journalists – along with Syria and Mexico.
