Xinhua, February 19, 2007

Journalist gunned down in Afghanistan

The Philippines and Afghanistan were the most dangerous places for journalists in Asia in 2006

A local journalist has been killed by unknown armed men in Afghanistan's northwest Faryab province, said a local official Monday.

"Two armed men riding a motorbike opened fire on Rahman Qul near his home in Ankhoi district Sunday afternoon and killed him on the spot," provincial governor Abdul Latif Ibrahimi told Xinhua.

It is not clear if the attackers were militants and an investigation is underway, said Ibrahimi. Working for a local newspaper, Rahman Qul was a renowned journalist in his home province.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Unknown armed men gunned down two German journalists in northern Baghlan province last year. One Italian newsman was abducted in the troubled Helmand province months ago and was set free unharmed after three weeks in captivity.

Taliban militants have warned journalists not to report their casualties without verification with them.

Characters Count: 1056