Taliban torch TV boosters during Ghazni attacks

GHAZNI CITY (Pajhwok): Several transmission boosters of the state-run and private TV channels were set ablaze by Taliban insurgents during their multipronged attacks on this capital city of southern Ghazni province, the affected media outlets said on Friday.

Hundreds of heavily armed Taliban militants stormed Ghazi city last night, with intermittent firing still ongoing.

The Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC) said local media broadcasts were ceased after the Taliban attacked the Tape-e-Television (hill of Radio Television), where antennas of local media are stationed.

During the attack the fighters set fire to a number of media outlet’s antennas and transmitters and killed a technical staff member of the Ghazni branch of the state-run RTA.

The committee strongly condemned the killing of the RTA worker and burning of the facilities of the local media and urged the Taliban to refrain from attacking and harming media and media workers.

"Media are not affiliated to any warning sides, so they must be kept intact by all parties. Meanwhile, we call on the Afghan security forces to take all possible measures towards protection of journalists and media workers in Ghazni province.”

The AJSC said it was closely monitoring the situation and working with local representatives to ensure safety of journalists and media workers and provide needed assistance to journalists stationed in Ghazni province.

Additionally, AJSC’s security specialist has been in direct contact with local journalists providing step-by-step safety instructions for those journalists trapped in the battle.

“AJSC will diligently continue its support for local journalists and also requests journalists and media workers to contact the organization in case of the need for any emergency support.”

Radio Liberty reporter Habib Rahman Taseer told Pajhwok that their broadcasts had also gone off the air.

Journalists Union head for Ghazni Rahmatullah said the Taliban cut down the antennas, bringing to a halt transmission of various media outlets.

Bashir, a worker with the Radio Television Afghanistan in Ghazni, said their transmission was not working since morning.

The spokesman for Ghazni governor, Arif Noori, said the antennas stopped working after electricity was disconnected to them.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied the boosters had been intentionally torched. He said the fighters came under fire from a high post which served as a TV booster.