Geo News DSNG attacked: Satellite engineer killed, driver injured

KARACHI: Unknown gunmen attacked a Geo News Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) van in the Bahadurabad area of the city on Tuesday night.

The driver and satellite engineer were injured in the attack and rushed to a local hospital for treatment. Geo News satellite engineer Arshad Ali Jafri succumbed to his injuries at the hospital while the driver Anees is said to be in stable condition.



DIG East Munir Sheikh said three gunmen riding a motorcycle attacked the DSNG van. Police have recovered 9MM bullet shells from the site and the DIG added all three attackers were wearing shalwar kameez. He also said that raids would be conducted overnight to arrest the attackers.

The attackers fled the scene shortly after firing on the Geo News van.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has summoned a report of the incident from Inspector General Police Sindh.

Speaking from the hospital, Geo News Karachi Bureau Chief, Faheem Siddiqui, said that seven of the shots wounded Arshad, the Satellite Engineer. Three of the shots wounded his stomach, while three were fired on his hands and one on his face. While the driver received two bullet wounds on his shoulders.

Expressing grief over the incident, senior journalist Hamid Mir said the unpleasant incident is highly regrettable and this was not the first time that Geo News has been targeted. He added that targeting Geo News gives the message that Karachi is not entirely safe.

Geo News programme host Shahzeb Khanzada said it is a very unfortunate event and the security that is needed for media personnel is not provided.

Two members of the team who were also in the van during the attack remained safe.

Former President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack on the Geo News team and called for immediate arrest of the suspects. He added that a committee should be formed to investigate the incident.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad as well as Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah also condemned the attack.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chief Imran Khan tweeted:

It is unacceptable to have the media, including TV crew members being attacked when they are simply doing their job.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) September 8, 2015

While Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also shared her condolences:

RIP Arshad Ali Jafri my thoughts and prayers with the family of Mr Jafri. Condolences to #TeamGeo

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) September 8, 2015