JSC, AJC condemn bomb attack on journalists, urge serious probe

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Journalists Safety Committee (JSC) and the Afghan Journalists Centre (AJC) have strongly condemned Saturday blast targeting journalists in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of northern Balkh province, and demanded serious investigation into the incident.

According to the JSC and AJC, 15 journalists injured in a blast on Sunday in Mazar-i-Sharif but police said one person was killed and eight others injured in the blast.

In a statement, the JSC strongly condemned attack on journalists, media employees, religious scholars and common people.

The statement expressed its deep condolences with the victims’ families and pledged to provide financial support for the treatment of injured journalists.

The JSC asked incumbent government to take necessary steps for the safety and protection of journalists and recommended the implementation of journalists’ safety and protection plan which is already available.

The AJC in a separate statement also condemned the attack on journalists and termed it a clear aggression against the freedom of speech asking the authorities to conduct serious investigation into the incident.

AJC expressed concern over restriction imposed by local authorities in the coverage of the incident and stressed the implementation of journalists rights in line with Access to Information Law and Media Law.

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