Radio presenter found dead in southern Helmand province

January 2, 2020

Lashkargah, Helmand- A presenter of local Samoon radio was found dead in the outskirt of Lashkargah city on Thursday after being apparently murdered, local officials said.

“On Wednesday evening Safar Muhammad had been out for an invitation but on Thursday morning his dead body was found in the Safyan area of Lashkargah city” Hayatullah Sahil, Editor in Chief of Samoon Radio said.

While studying at the university, the 27-year-old Atal had worked part-time as a presenter of entertainment programs and technician at the station since mid-2018.

The case is under investigation, Mohammad Omar Zawak, Helmand Governor’s Spokesperson said.

“The results of the investigation will be shared with the public through a press conference, but it isn’t yet clear whether this incident relates to Atal’s profession or not.” He added

No individual or group has immediately claimed the responsibility for the killing of Mr. Atal.

AFJC is deeply troubled by death of Safar Mohammad and calls of the Afghan authorities to take urgent action to bring his killers to justice. “We urge Afghan authorities to take substantive action towards protecting all journalists and media workers in the country and upholding the fundamental rights of free expression and press freedom.” Said AFJC executive director Ahmad Quraishi

Safar Mohammad Atal is Afghanistan’ first media victim in 2020.  According to Afghanistan Journalists Center(AFJC), Afghanistan is one of the deadliest countries for journalists in the world. More than 115 journalists and media workers have been killed with impunity mostly in the Taliban and IS-K(Daesh) attacks since the the collapse of the