TTP claims deadly attack on Express TV channel

KARACHI: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan  ( TTP ) claimed responsibility on Saturday for a deadly attack on a Express television channel in the southern city of Karachi and threatened further violence against media outlets.

A spokesman said in a statement that militants had attacked an Express News van on Friday night, killing three employees, because the station had acted as a “propagandist”.

“We claim the responsibility… The reason of the attack is that in the war of ideologies all media channels including Express News are acting as propagandist and as rival party” Ehsanullah Ehsan said.

“We will attack all the media houses that are involved in carrying out propaganda against us” he said.

A technician, driver and security guard were killed when gunmen attacked a van belonging to the paper in the western part of the port city late Friday.

TTP had attacked Express News in December. “We had not incurred any loss of life so we attacked them again” Ehsan told AFP in a phone call from an undisclosed location.

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 atcleansing the city of terrorists and other hardcore criminals including hired killers, gun runners and drug peddlers.

Karachi, a city of 18 million people which contributes 42 percent of Pakistan´s GDP, has been plagued by sectarian, ethnic and political violence for years.

Source : AFP