September 17, 2014
Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) is saddened to learn that PalwashaTokhi Meranzai, a 26-year-old female journalist has been stabbed to dead in broad daylight in Northern Mazar-e-Sharif city on Tuesday 16 September 2014.
Palwasha, who worked for the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Bayan Media Center, came under attack inside her house near in the 3rd police district.
Bayan Media Center Director, Hafizullah Majidi said that, according to Palwasha’s sister, the attacker pretended to deliver her invitation to a wedding party.
The assailant stabbed Palwasha in her head and chest soon after she opened the house door, Majidi added
The female journalist worked with the Media center for five years before leaving her job in 2012. She had just returned to Afghanistan after completing her master's degree in Thailand three months ago.
About a month before the incident, Palwasha had informed the media center on life threat, according to Majidi, who asked security forces to investigate the murder.
Deputy provincial police chief, Col. Abdur Raziq Qadiri told Pajhwok Afghan News, unidentified assailant managed to escape after killing the journalist with a knife.
Abul Raziq said, Police have launched a hunt for the killer.
AFJC strongly condemns the murder of Ms Tokhi and call on the local authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Palwasha is the second journalist killed in Mazar-e-Sharif in the past two months.On 12 July 2014, Khalid Agha Yaqubi, a 27-year-old employee for the local radio station Lahza in Mazar-e-Sharif, was shot dead on the head in front of his kids and the shooter managed to escape.