Gunmen in Swat District kill journalist whose relatives were anti-TTP

SWAT -- A journalist whose relatives were members of an anti-Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group was gunned down, police confirmed Wednesday (February 26).

Javedullah Khan, 36, was fatally shot Tuesday (February 25) in Matta, Swat District, a former militant stronghold some 40km northwest of the Swat Valley.

He worked as a bureau chief for the Urdu language newspaper Ausaf.

"Javed was travelling with a police guard when two gunmen opened fire on his vehicle. He died on the spot," senior police official Muhammad Ijaz Khan told AFP.

Ali Muhammad, a local police official, also confirmed the incident.

"It was a targeted attack," Muhammad added.

Journalist lost many relatives to terrorism

"Many of his relatives, including a brother, uncles and cousins, were killed due to their involvement in anti-Taliban peace committees," added Muhammad.

For years, tribal vigilante forces, known locally as peace committees or lashkars, have defended their villages against militants.

Most have been disbanded following a dramatic improvement in security across the country.

While militant networks have been severely disrupted in recent years, insurgents still retain the ability to launch attacks.

Khan was an "exceptionally brave journalist", said Amnesty International, which called for an independent investigation.

No group has claimed responsibility, but militants have long targeted pro-government tribal elders in the past.