Journalist Khalil Jibran shot dead in KP’s Landi Kotal area

KHYBER: A senior journalist Khalil Jibran has been killed by unidentified gunmen near his residence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Landi Kotal town, police said Wednesday.

Jibran, who was associated with a private news channel — Khyber News — was targeted by unidentified miscreants on a motorcycle when he was heading towards his residence with his friend Sajjad Advocate, District Police Officer (DPO) Khyber Salim Abbas said.

He detailed that the journalist’s car developed a fault near his home when the gunmen surrounded him, dragged him out of his vehicle and opened fire at him.

Jibran, who was also former president of the Landi Kotal Press Club, died on the spot and Sajjad got wounded, while the culprits fled from the scene. His body was shifted to a Landi Kotal hospital for post mortem, the police officer said.

The incident took place in Mazreena area in the vicinity of Landi Kotal Police Station, he added.

Abbas claimed that Jibran had also received threats from terrorists.

FIR registered

A first information report (FIR) of the murder was registered in the Landi Kotal police station against the unknown suspects on the complaint of Sajjad, who is also an eyewitness in the case, the DPO told a private news channel.

The DPO said that terrorism provisions have been added to the case.

Meanwhile, the slain journalist was buried in his native village Sultan Khel, after several people attended his funeral prayer.

Prior to the funeral prayer, a protest was recorded by journalists, political and social personalities on the Khyber-Pak-Afghan highway where Gibran’s body was also kept.

The protesters demanded that the journalist’s killer be arrested immediately.

PM Shehbaz, KP CM take notice

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned Gibran’s killing, instructing the KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and relevant authorities to arrest his murderers.

According to a statement released by the PM Office, the premier said the government will take strong measures to ensure the safety of journalists.

He also expressed his heartfelt condolences to the slain journalist’s family.

Earlier, KP CM took notice of the incident and ordered authorities concerned to immediately arrest the culprits behind the journalist’s killing.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also condemned Jibran’s murder.