Afghanistan: Journalist killed reporting Pakistan border conflict

Afghan journalist Abdul Ghafoor Abed was killed and another journalist was wounded during cross-border fighting between Taliban and Pakistani forces on October 14. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Afghan Independent Journalists Union (AIJU), condemn the killing and injuring of media workers and remind warring nations of the international conventions that protect journalists within zones of armed conflict.

Abdul Ghafoor Abed (L) was killed and Tawab Arman (R) was injured while reporting on an Afghanistan-Pakistan border conflict in Afghanistan's Khost province on October 14. Credit: AIJU

According to AIJU, multiple journalists from Paktia National Television were reporting on Taliban military operations in Khost's borderland Zazai Maidan district, which borders Pakistan, when the media workers came under gunfire and aerial attack, allegedly by Pakistani forces. The border clashes are reported to be the most serious clash between the two countries since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Abdul Ghafoor Abed and Tawab Arman, are understood to have been struck by a drone-launched munition. Abed was killed by the strike, while Arman and a driver sustained injuries and were later evacuated by Taliban forces. The total number of wounded journalists remains unconfirmed. Pakistan's military has confirmed that 23 Pakistani soldiers were killed during the clashes, while the Taliban said it had lost nine of its troops.

The AIJU strongly condemned the attack on the journalists, calling on international press freedom organisations and national authorities to investigate the incident.

The current border conflict was triggered after Pakistan reportedly conducted an air strike on Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, last week, with the Taliban reporting that its attacks on Pakistani military posts along the border were in retaliation for the violation of its airspace. The attack follows months of clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces along the border. A 48-hour ceasefire was reached on October 15.

The AIJU said: "An attack on journalists is an attempt to silence the voice of truth, conceal realities, and disrespect the national sovereignty of Afghanistan."

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said:"Journalists are civilians, not targets. Media professionals working in conflict zones must be protected and allowed to report freely and safely. The IFJ calls on warring parties to immediately refrain from attacking journalists and respect their fundamental right to work without violence or fear."