ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — An Afghan journalist was attacked by armed men in Islamabad, according to the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile.
The journalist, Naseer Ahmad Behrooz, was assaulted on August 25 in the Barakahu area of Pakistan’s capital, the federation said in a statement.
The attackers, two men on a motorcycle, reportedly attempted to kidnap Behrooz, the watchdog reported.
“I made noises, and some passersby came to help me,” Behrooz said. “The two armed men, who had already taken my mobile phone, released me and fled the area when they saw the people.”
This incident is the latest in a series of threats faced by Afghan journalists since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.
Hundreds of journalists have been forced to flee Afghanistan due to escalating restrictions and dangers posed by the Taliban.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center recently reported 181 incidents of violations against media and journalists, including threats and arrests, during the third year of Taliban rule.
