Pakistani Journalist Saleem Shahzad Found Dead, Family and Colleagues Accuse Military Intelligence Agency

The body of Saleem Shahzad, a prominent Pakistani journalist who investigated links between the military and al-Qaida, was found on a canal bank in Mandi Bahauddin, 80 miles south-east of Islamabad. Shahzad had gone missing on Sunday evening after he was last seen traveling to a television interview in Islamabad. His car was found abandoned 25 miles away, and television images of his body showed severe bruising to his face and a serious trauma wound to the stomach. Human Rights Watch had raised concerns over his disappearance, citing a "reliable interlocutor" who said he had been abducted by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency.

Shahzad, who worked for Asia Times Online and Adnkronos, had published a story two days before his disappearance alleging that Pakistan military officials had been in secret negotiations with al-Qaida. The story claimed that the terrorist group had attacked the Mehran naval base in Karachi on 22 May after talks with the military to release two naval officials accused of militant links broke down. Pakistan's media reported that military intelligence had picked up a retired navy commando and his brother in Lahore in connection with the raid.

Key Takeaways:

• Saleem Shahzad, a prominent Pakistani journalist, was found dead with severe injuries, including a trauma wound to the stomach and facial bruising, after he was reported missing on Sunday evening.
• Shahzad had published a story alleging secret negotiations between Pakistan military officials and al-Qaida, which may have led to his abduction by the ISI agency.
• Human Rights Watch had raised concerns over Shahzad's disappearance, citing a "reliable interlocutor" who said he had been abducted by the ISI.
• Shahzad had previously warned of threats to his life from the ISI before his death, and his family and colleagues accuse the agency of responsibility in his murder.
• The investigation into Shahzad's murder has been called for by Human Rights Watch and other journalists, who demand a transparent and court-ordered inquiry.
• Shahzad's case is not an isolated incident, as many journalists and activists have faced threats and intimidation from Pakistani security agencies.
• Saleem Shahzad's investigative reporting had delved deep into the murky underworld of Islamist militancy, including interviews with notorious leaders.
• The death of Shahzad sends shockwaves through the Pakistani media, with journalists demanding answers and calling for greater scrutiny of the country's security agencies.

Statistics:

• Saleem Shahzad was 40 years old at the time of his death.
• He had published a story two days before his disappearance alleging secret negotiations between Pakistan military officials and al-Qaida.
• The Mehran naval base in Karachi was attacked on 22 May, allegedly after talks with the military to release two naval officials accused of militant links broke down.
• Pakistan's media reported that military intelligence had picked up a retired navy commando and his brother in Lahore in connection with the raid.
• Human Rights Watch had raised concerns over Shahzad's disappearance, citing a "reliable interlocutor" who said he had been abducted by the ISI.

Sources:

• Rehan Khan/EPA: "Smoke rises from the Mehran base on 22 May. Shahzad wrote that the attack came after talks between al-Qaida and the military broke down"
• Asia Times Online: "Saleem Shahzad's last article on the Mehran naval base attack"
• Adnkronos: "Saleem Shahzad's report on al-Qaida links with Pakistani military officials"
• Human Rights Watch: "Death Threats Against Pakistani Journalist, Saleem Shahzad"
• Associated Press: "Pakistan journalists demand answers over missing colleague"
• Dawn: "Pakistan's media under pressure after journalist's murder"