Ihsan Khattak, a senior journalist and former president of the Bannu Press Club, reported that unidentified armed men fired at the main gate of his residence late last night in Bannu. No casualties were reported, but Khattak said the incident follows several weeks in which suspicious motorcyclists had been following him to and from the press club and during reporting assignments.
Khattak told authorities he has no personal enmity with anyone and has already submitted an application to the local police station. The police have registered a case and begun an investigation into the attack on Ihsan Khattak, collecting initial statements and pursuing leads related to the reports of the motorcyclists.
The Bannu Press Club convened an emergency meeting chaired by President Peer Niaz Ali Shah, during which Ihsan Khattak briefed colleagues on the details of the incident. Journalists at the meeting expressed full solidarity and called for an immediate, transparent inquiry to identify those responsible and to ensure stronger protection for media workers in the district.
SHO Allah Nawaz Khan emphasized that journalists serve as a bridge between the public and government and assured participants that the police will provide full cooperation and protection. He confirmed that legal action is being taken against those involved and that the investigation is ongoing.
Journalistic organisations and civil society members have urged government and law enforcement agencies to act swiftly to guarantee the safety of reporters so they can perform their duties without fear. The solidarity shown for Ihsan Khattak underlines wider concerns about press safety and the need for effective measures to protect journalists across the region.
