The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for an urgent investigation by both Taliban and Pakistani authorities into the tragic death of Afghan journalist Abdul Ghafor Abed, who was killed on October 15 during coverage of fierce cross-border skirmishes. Abed, a correspondent for the Taliban-run Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), lost his life in Khost province’s Zazai Maidan district amidst a confrontation between Taliban forces and Pakistani security personnel. Tawab Arman, a fellow broadcaster, was injured in the same incident.

According to RTA sources, Abed and Arman were dispatched from the neighboring Paktika province to report on the growing tensions at the border. Mustaghfar Grubaz, a spokesperson for the Taliban’s police command in Khost, claimed that the journalists were specifically targeted by Pakistani forces during their reporting assignment. This assertion is supported by the Afghanistan Free Journalists Union, which also condemned the alleged deliberate targeting by Pakistani military.

CPJ’s Asia-Pacific Director, Beh Lih Yi, emphasized the necessity for accountability, stating, “Journalists reporting from conflict zones are protected as civilians under international law.” She insisted that a thorough investigation is imperative to ensure justice for Abed's death.

The incident occurred against a backdrop of escalating violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, marked by recent airstrikes and retaliatory strikes, stoking fears of further conflict. The hostilities reportedly began following Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul on October 9, leading to severe clashes including attacks on Pakistani military outposts. Both nations had declared a temporary 48-hour ceasefire just a day prior to Abed's death.

Journalists like Abed play a critical role in conflict zones, often at great personal risk. Under international humanitarian law, they are considered civilians and are not to be targeted. However, since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, the media environment in Afghanistan has significantly worsened, with numerous reports of detentions and assaults on journalists by Taliban forces. Incidents of journalists being caught in crossfire or targeted attacks have tragically increased.

The deteriorating situation for press freedom in Afghanistan, highlighted by Abed’s untimely death, raises serious concerns about the safety of journalists in such volatile environments. Despite repeated appeals for protection of media personnel, responses from officials remain inadequate. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat have not yet responded to CPJ’s calls for comment on the incident.

This tragic event underscores the urgent need for all parties in conflict zones to respect and protect journalists who brave dangerous conditions to deliver news to the world.