Slain TV channel employees laid to rest in Karachi

KARACHI: Three employees of a private television channel who were shot dead in North Nazimabad on Friday have been laid to rest.

Armed men Friday opened fire on the Satellite Van of the private channel, killing three employees.

Funeral prayers of Waqas, Muhammad Khalid and Ashraf were offered in different areas of the city.

A large number of people including leaders of political parties attended the funeral prayers.

Protest demonstrations were held by journalists across the country calling for the arrest of those responsible for the killings.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack and had threatened further violence against media houses.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formed a committee to evaluate the security risks faced by media house.

Media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said last month that Pakistan was among the world´s five deadliest countries for the media in its annual round-up of press freedom violations.

Rangers are currently taking part in a joint operation with police in Karachi aimed at cleansing the city of terrorists and other hardcore criminals including hired killers, gun runners and drug peddlers.