New Delhi, 18 September 2024: The Indian Journalists Union condemns the killing ofbroadcast journalist Salman Ali Khan by unknown assailants in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. The Union demanded that the government conduct a thorough investigation and catch the assailants.

According to reports, Khan associated with a YouTube channel was fatally shot by three unidentified assailants riding on a motorcycle outside a local hospital. He was accompanied by his nine-year-old son while riding his scooter when the attackers approached and opened fire. He sustained serious injuries and was rushed to hospital, which pronounced him dead upon arrival. The Sarangpur police confirmed that a case has been registered under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and further investigations are underway.

Apparently, this was a second attack on Khan in the past year. In February 2023, he received death threats and was seriously injured after being attacked with a sword and knifefollowing personal rivalry an individual Shahrukh had with him. The recent attack too stems from this rivalry. The shooting occurred while the sub-divisional officer of police was patrolling the area during Anant Chaturdashi festival, with their vehicle just 50 steps away from where Salman was killed.

In a statement,IJU President and former member of Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and Vice President of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Sabina Inderjit saidjournalists were increasingly facing attacks from antisocial elements, criminals, and political interests.The Union demands justice for the slain journalist and that the state government must provide safety and security to the working journalists.