The targeted assassinations against journalists and human rights activists in Afghanistan continue unabated with three more women media workers of a local news channel were shot dead by unknown gunmen on Tuesday in two separate attacks, reported TOLOnews. 

The incidents happened in the eastern city of Jalalabad, the provincial capital of Nangahar province. In the first incident, Saadia and Shahnaaz, both employed with Enikass TV, were shot at around 4 PM in Police District 1 of the city. 

Minutes later, another gunman opened fire on Murshal Habibi, who was also working with the same TV channel, in Police District 4 of the city. As usual, no group claimed responsibility for the attacks on the media personnel.  

The incident shocked the media fraternity in Afghanistan which has long been demanding security for media workers from the government. A total of four media workers have been in 2021 so far. The war-torn country has become one of the most dangerous places for journalists with eight media persons killed in 2020 alone. 

“Today was a bad day for Enikass TV,” said Zalmay Latifi, the head of Enikass TV. “Three of our budding employees were killed,” he added. 

Condemning the attacks, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan called the Afghan government for “prompt, transparent, and independent investigations” in the brutal attacks. The EU mission in Afghanistan also condemned the incidents and asked the government to protect journalists and press freedom. 

Targeted attacks against media persons, human rights activists, and members of civil society have been on the rise since the intra-Afghan peace talks began between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Doha, Qatar. At least 14 media workers and human rights activists have been killed since the talks started in September last year.