Slain journalist laid to rest

Slain journalist laid to rest 

Friday, 20 Feb, 2009 | 02:23 AM PST | 
 
 
Musa Khankhel was laid to rest amid moving scenes in his native town of Malokabad. - AP photo. 

MINGORA: Musa Khankhel, Swat correspondent for a private news channel and newspaper, was laid to rest amid moving scenes in his native town Malokabad, Mingora on Thursday.

A large number of people attended the funeral prayers of the slain journalist. The mourners, including people of all walks of life, demanded stern action against the assassins.

Musa Khan was kidnapped by unknown persons from Matta while covering the ‘peace march’ of TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad and consequently his bullet-riddled body was recovered in Detpani area, near Chuprial.

No group claimed responsibility for his killing. Mehmood Khan, a local Taliban commander, told dawn by phone from an undisclosed location that Taliban have no hand in his murder. He said Taliban considered him as a professional journalist who played active role during the crisis in Swat district.

The commander said the perpetrators of the gory incident would be identified soon and would be tried in Taliban courts in accordance with Islamic Shariah law. He said it is the handiwork of elements who don’t want peace in the region. 

On the other hand, Scores of journalists, wearing black bands held a protest march at the Mingora press club to condemn the killing, asking the government to arrest the killers. 

The protestors, including journalists from Islamabad, Peshawar and Swat, gathered at Mingora press club and from there they went to the houses of slain journalist Musa Khan and condoled with his family members.  

Addressing the media persons, Hamid Mir said the killers would be exposed and mission of slain journalist would be continued. They paid rich tributes to Musa Khan for his courage and devotion with his profession. 

The NWFP government announced Rs300,000 compensation for the family members of the slain journalist.

ANP provincial chief said the government would conduct inquiry in the murder of Musa Khan and vowed exemplary punishment for killer.

He said both political leaders and journalists were the target of some elements.