PESHAWAR: The Executive Editor of The News International, Rahimullah Yusufzai along with two foreign journalists and his driver, escaped a life attempt when unknown culprits opened fire on their vehicle in Masam Khan Adda near Qila Shah Beg on April 9.

The world-fame journalist, accompanied by two foreign journalists, correspondents of The National Geographic magazine Reza and Tim (who also works for Time magazine) and driver Zor Talab Khan, was on his way to Mohmand Agency in vehicle bearing registration number B-2526. Unidentified people in Masam Khan Adda near Qila Shah Beg in Charsadda signalled the driver to stop the vehicle. However, the driver instead of stopping, accelerated the vehicle. On this the culprits opened fire on the vehicle but fortunately none was injured. After firing at the vehicle, the armed men fled the scene. No one could be arrested till late hours.

The team of National Geographic magazine was on its way to the Pak-Afghan border in Mohmand Agency to prepare a documentary over the Pakhtoon nation. The team had recently visited various parts of Afghanistan and was in the country to give final touch to their documentary.

“It may be an attempt of kidnapping as the criminals signalled the vehicle to stop and when it didn’t they opened fire on it,” said political agent Mohmand Agency, Sahibzada Anis. He said that it was not clear that the culprits intentionally stopped the car of journalists or they were looking for any one to kidnap him for ransom.

“We couldn’t arrest any one so far but raids are continuing,” said an official of the Sro Kelay police station. He showed his ignorance about the motive behind the incident but said it might be kidnapping attempt as such practice was going on in the area. The official said that three bullets had hit the vehicle but fortunately no one was injured inside.
Source: The News
Date:4/10/2004