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Pakistani Journalist Escapes Bombing Attempt Journalist In Pakistan Eludes Bomb
(about 7 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A prominent Pakistani journalist and talk show host escaped what appeared to be an assassination attempt here in the capital on Monday after a bomb was found under his car, officials said.ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A prominent Pakistani journalist and talk show host escaped what appeared to be an assassination attempt here in the capital on Monday after a bomb was found under his car, officials said.
There was no claim of responsibility for the bombing attempt, apparently targeting Hamid Mir, a veteran journalist who hosts one of the country’s most-watched political talk shows. Most suspicions pointed to the Pakistani Taliban, which had recently singled out Mr. Mir for criticism over his coverage of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage activist wounded by militants in October.There was no claim of responsibility for the bombing attempt, apparently targeting Hamid Mir, a veteran journalist who hosts one of the country’s most-watched political talk shows. Most suspicions pointed to the Pakistani Taliban, which had recently singled out Mr. Mir for criticism over his coverage of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage activist wounded by militants in October.
This month, the Interior Ministry said that Mr. Mir’s life had been threatened by a Taliban affiliate known as Tariq Geedar for his coverage of Ms. Yousafzai’s story.This month, the Interior Ministry said that Mr. Mir’s life had been threatened by a Taliban affiliate known as Tariq Geedar for his coverage of Ms. Yousafzai’s story.
But some senior journalists insisted that they refused to rule out involvement by the country’s powerful intelligence agencies. Human rights groups have accused the agencies of using intimidation and violence against journalists.But some senior journalists insisted that they refused to rule out involvement by the country’s powerful intelligence agencies. Human rights groups have accused the agencies of using intimidation and violence against journalists.
Mr. Mir has also had a troubled relationship with the military’s intelligence groups in recent years, partly for his vocal criticism of the illegal detention and mistreatment of suspected militants. The bomb was spotted by a neighbor when Mr. Mir returned home with his driver after a shopping trip in central Islamabad, police officials said. The police described the device as a black box fixed to the underside of his vehicle with magnets, and which containing half a kilogram of plastic explosives as well as a land mine detonator. Mr. Mir has also had a troubled relationship with the military’s intelligence groups in recent years, partly for his vocal criticism of the illegal detention and mistreatment of suspected militants. The bomb was spotted by a neighbor when Mr. Mir returned home with his driver after a shopping trip in central Islamabad, police officials said. The police described the device as a black box fixed to the underside of his vehicle with magnets, containing half a kilogram of plastic explosives as well as a land mine detonator.
“It was clearly an assassination attempt that failed,” said Rana Jawad, Islamabad bureau chief at Geo, the network that employs Mr. Mir.“It was clearly an assassination attempt that failed,” said Rana Jawad, Islamabad bureau chief at Geo, the network that employs Mr. Mir.
News of the bombing attempt drew swift condemnation from journalists across Pakistan, and media organizations said they would mount protests on Tuesday to show solidarity with Mr. Mir.News of the bombing attempt drew swift condemnation from journalists across Pakistan, and media organizations said they would mount protests on Tuesday to show solidarity with Mr. Mir.
Rehman Malik, the country’s interior minister, visited Mr. Mir’s home and assured him of “effective” security.Rehman Malik, the country’s interior minister, visited Mr. Mir’s home and assured him of “effective” security.
Hours later, Mr. Mir hosted his evening talk show as usual, appearing composed but declining to speculate about his attacker’s identity. Instead, the program focused on the general state of insecurity in Pakistan.Hours later, Mr. Mir hosted his evening talk show as usual, appearing composed but declining to speculate about his attacker’s identity. Instead, the program focused on the general state of insecurity in Pakistan.