On Wednesday, media outlets reported that a reporter for GEO News, Mosa Khankhel, was killed in Matta Town in Swat Valley. According to GEO’s breaking news report, Khankel was shot dead by unidentified gunmen while he was on duty. However, later news reports cited GEO News journalist Hamid Mir, who said, “Mosa was not only shot but also decapitated. He was continuously facing problems while reporting in Swat. The mood of celebration has been converted into mourning.” Similar details were televised on CNN International, which reported that Khankel disappeared for an hour before his team found his body with gunshot wounds and a partially severed head.
[Image from the AFP]
Ironically, Khankel was reportedly killed after covering a peace march led by Sufi Mohammad, leader of the Sharia movement and founder of Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-Mohammadi [TNSM]. The aging militant leader [who was jailed in Pakistan for six years in 2002 after leading his supporters to fight against U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan] told the crowd in Mingora, “I have come here to establish peace and I will not leave until this mission is achieved.” According to Dawn News, “Police and witnesses estimated that 15,000 people marched in the crowd, waving black and white flags as they paraded through town with the cleric, who advised them to recite only verses from the Holy Quran.” Reuters quoted Mohammed telling his supporters, “I ask you to remain peaceful. We have reached an agreement with the provincial government and Nizam-e-Adl (Islamic system of justice) will soon be enforced here.”
According to CNN correspondent Stan Grant, however, what may threaten a lasting peace deal are forces within Mohammad’s own family. In a segment entitled, “Taliban Family Ties,” Grant reported that although the Pakistani government considers Sufi Mohammad a more “moderate” influence in the region, he may have problems convincing his son-in-law, Mullah Fazlullah, the firebrand cleric in Swat known as the “Radio Mullah,” [see CHUP’s related backgrounder, as well as Grand Truck Road’s great piece on the myths of radio jamming] to lay down his weapons permanently. Zahid Hussain, a journalist and author of Frontline Pakistan, noted that Mohammad needs to use his strong support base in Swat to convince Fazlullah and his supports to halt the violence, but “that is not going to happen.” According to CNN, “The Pakistani government may think they can divide them [Mohammad and Fazlullah] but the fear is that they will answer with one voice.”
The horrific murder of GEO’s Mosa Khankel today is an ominous indication that this peace deal will not spell an end to the violence in Swat. Azhar Abbas, GEO TV’s managing director asserted that Mosa was “the first martyr of this peace deal.” Pakistan’s Information Minister Sherry Rehman called the act, “an attack on journalism,” and the government has promised an investigation into the matter. According to the Associated Press, “Reporters have often been killed or kidnapped in northwest Pakistan in circumstances that are rarely investigated. Journalists there say they face threats from both militants and members of the security forces and have to be very careful on what and how they report.” Our thoughts and prayers go out to Khankel’s family.
CHUP! - Changing Up Pakistan 
Here’s an interesting part of the CNN segment I forgot to mention – Zahid Hussain, who has widely covered Sufi Mohammad’s family, also noted that Mullah Fazlullah was a school drop-out, and found his calling when he joined Sufi Mohammad’s movement.
Pretty chilling to think your calling involves spreading firebrand rhetoric over FM radio, calling for the banning of girls’ education, and allowing for the bombing of girls’ schools.
This is very sad, Mosa Khankhel was one of the few (two I believe) journalist brave enough to report from Swat region. May his soul rest in peace. This is yet another demonstration of failure of this “peace” deal.
According Geo “The chief of Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-i-Mohammadi (TNSM), Maulana Sufi Mohammad has said the concept of democracy is against the teachings of the Holy Quran and Sunnah.” Where do these Mullah’s come up with this nonsense is what I want to know. Tomorrow we will hear that washing your face with “non-muslim water” is against the Sharia and punishable by death. I mean seriously there is no end to this.
This peace deal is ludicrous in my opinion. The govt should not be making peace deal with Mullah’s who use Islam/Sharia to propagate their message of hate and terrorism. Nothing in their agenda has anything to do with Islam or the message of Islam. This is a political movement to establish legitimacy by using brute force in the name of religion.
It is a really sad day for Pakistani journalism. May the soul of this brave man rest in peace. He was a true patriot of Pakistan.
What’s going on in Swat probably owes not just to religious lunatics, but also to cold-blooded killers and drug mafia who will do anything for money. Doing journalism (or politics) in such circumstances is a very risky affair. You will be killed not because you have opposing views, but just because you are spreading news.
Whoever is left in Swat will hopefully tread in caution. This is much more than a war zone.
It’s sad that many of the journalists who were reporting in the region have now retreated to the (relative) safety of Islamabad. The safety of journalists in Pakistan is often an ignored issue – tragic considering the risks they take to cover a story. What’s interesting is that while Western journalists are often embedded with the military (hence receiving protection), many Pakistani journalists are independent agents, and are vulnerable to violence/threats/attacks from either side.
I just listened to a really great program on BBC World Radio, “World Have Your Say,” on the situation in Swat. Shaheen Sardar Ali made a really great point about the ineffectiveness of the ANP government. I was really reminded how optimistic people were that a secular government had been voted in, and now they not only can’t provide security to the people, but they are brokering a deal with the Taliban.
The podcast of the show should be up soon, for all those who are interested: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/whys/
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Sitting here in India, I only have access to the media reports across the world. It is great to have first hand reports from within the country where the theatre is. Thanks Kalsoom.
What happened with the journalist was something he deserved. For being brave, forthright and true. That is the price one has to pay to be naive enough to follow the right path I think. History is full of such events and instances. Salute to the departe soul. It would be interesting to see how the Plotical Setup and the TNSM utilise his death (as morbid and scavangeful as it may sound, but it is a stark reality). It is evident in Politics, that any event or end is a means to another opportunity. So I’ll wait and see how it is manipulated.
I read this article on Asia Times by some Pakistani journalist, would provide the link here. A jist of the article though, is that this is all a part of a larger gameplan. To me it sounds more of a conspiracy theory kind of thing, but then, those who are running the show in SWAT would actually believe in this. And if they do, then they have been granted their first wish. Legally, by the Govt. Of Pakistan.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KB19Df01.html
WTF? I’m so mad that this happened. It makes me wonder what the heck is really going on up north. I pray and hope for peace but it seems like I might be agreeing with WEstern countries that peace in Swat might provide a safe haven for the militants to regroup and intensify.
Anyways, read Shazia Mazari’s op-ed in The News. She makes a lot of sense. Thanks for this, Kals.
I think the time has come. The army should first issue a notice ordering every single inhabitant of Swat to either evacuate or prepare for massive, full scale, saturation carpet bombings… followed by house-to-house inspections. Clear, hold, and build. Enough is enough, rule of law must be restored.
@TTVINDIA
“What happened with the journalist was something he deserved. For being brave, forthright and true. That is the price one has to pay to be naive enough to follow the right path I think”
What a disgusting remark, I hope you will take that back. This is a defeatist’s mentality and is not helpful.
HGW – but will full-scale carpet bombings do anything but embolden Taliban sympathizers elsewhere to rise up? It might fix the problem in the short-term, but as we’ve seen in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in Pakistan – it will have long-term ramifications.
@ Heather.
I agree and do intend to take it back. But unfortunately, I think what I said is absolutely correct. What has happened to Musa is because he was forthright. And nothing wrong in that, He has died a heroes death. Am not even mourning his death. It would be disrepectful to mourn him. He was one of the few who had the privilege of layin his life in the line of duty and fire.
No it is not a defeatist approach for me. It is an eyeopener for the people of Pakistan. If they do not get the point now, then they are doomed to stay this way forever.
Some disagreements on your post now…..
“I think the time has come. The army should first issue a notice ordering every single inhabitant of Swat to either evacuate or prepare for massive, full scale, saturation carpet bombings… followed by house-to-house inspections. Clear, hold, and build. Enough is enough, rule of law must be restored.”
Evacuating the people of SWAt – Heather, history shows that even the Western Forces could not displace/control these tribal areas. You cannot throw the masses out of their homes. Also the remedies (Carpet Bombing etc…) mentioned are inhuman and genocidal. What you have mentioned here will tantamount to Genocide or more crudely, Ethnic Cleansing. Is Pakistan in a condition to do that? It tried and failed miserably. The result is this last ditch peace deal with the TNSM. Clear, Hold and Build is a great military strategy but not a Human or political one. So I beg to disagree on this one with you. I understand that it is more of an emotionally charged response, but it is not correct.
@ Heather
Read “Civilisations” in place of masses. It is the correct word in my reponse.
@ HGW…
Sorry, that Response above is meant for you and not Heather.
And Kalsoom…. I disgree with you. CARPET BOMBING is not even an option. Why is even being discussed. Can you do that to the people anywhere in the world? It is an evil thought. Please refrain from such thought. Human life, in whatever form is precious. And civilisations cannot be evacuated from places they have been for thousands of years. I do not need to tell you the HIstroy of NWFP/FATA and Swat. You’d know better than me. You cannot uprrot them of their homeland…. leave alone Carpet Bomb Them.
@ it shows how much love Pushtoons have for
mullah Sufi Muhammed and his son-in-law Fazllulah
and his colleague Baitullah mehsood, Takfiris,
Tehrikis, IndoIsraeli backed terrorist are all listed,
Hamid Mir should learn the writings on the wall.
TTV India-
I was not condoning carpet bombing at all, in fact, I wrote the comment to HGW to point out why carpet bombing would be a horrible idea in Swat.
Nizam-e-Adl ka pehla tuhfa
Musa Khankhel’s dead body.
Carpet bombings would accomplish the following:
1. It would deprive taliban of their stronghold (reason enough)
2. It would allow the army the opportunity to clear, hold, and build – and take control of Swat
3. It would send a strong message to any would-be taliban supporters who attempt to regroup elsewhere
We should take Israel’s example in how they are controlling Hamas. Appeasement only strengthens the enemy, they only understand force. Taliban are a cancer who have infected an organ…and now the whole organ must be surgically removed to stop the cancer from spreading to others. And it must be done immediately.
I agree that the civilian population would suffer a temporary evacuation, but it’s the lesser of two evils. When they return, they will find their city free of radical Islamic militants, once and for all.
@TTVINDIA
“And civilisations cannot be evacuated from places they have been for thousands of years.”
Why not? Just tell them to get out, its pretty simple. Those who refuse to leave are by definition, taliban militants.
@Kalsoom
“It might fix the problem in the short-term, but as we’ve seen in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in Pakistan – it will have long-term ramifications.”
I dont see how Iraq is suffering long term ramifications right now, violence is way down. “Occupiers” have to bomb and destroy a certain critical mass of their enemy, after which they can achieve peace with more humanitarian tactics. The clear, hold, and build strategy has worked perfectly in Iraq and Kabul. I think the US forces in Afghanistan need to step it up in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and initiate much much larger scale air strikes. How much worse could US public approval POSSIBLY GET?
What long-term ramifications are Israel suffering from due to the recent campaign in gaza? A few protesters?
HGW,
Violence is “way down” in Iraq because of the counterinsurgency strategy undertaken by the Iraqi Security Forces and the U.S. military, as well as the increasingly barbaric acts of Al Qaeda in Iraq which marginalized their support base – I don’t think violence is down because of carpet bombing – not at all in fact.
Kalsoom-
I agree with you. But the iraq strategy has always been to first clear areas from insurgent control, to hold them securely, and finally to build durable, national institutions
Iraq has already passed the ‘clear’ phase of the 3-prong strategy, long ago. For hold and build, it definitely relies on the cooperation of locals, I agree that’s clearly true. But we have to recognize the air strikes which took place at the outset of the Iraq war, which ultimately allowed for the prevailing situation of peace.
That being said, I think Swat is far from cleared of insurgent control, and perhaps some more drastic measures should be taken so the success in Iraq can be mimicked. The alternative is appeasement, allow them to grow their forces, grow their propaganda outlets, etc. What’s the endgame?
@ HGW…
“We should take Israel’s example in how they are controlling Hamas.”
Interesting that you say this. Coz, the Islamic world including the Pakistani portion is dead against them for the very reason that you cite here. Also, ISI/ARMY is continously blaming MOSSAD/CIA/RAW of creating, funneling, funding, arming the Taliban in Pakistan. Confusing is it not? Disagree on this.
“I agree that the civilian population would suffer a temporary evacuation, but it’s the lesser of two evils.”
I would use the word Taliban and non Taliban. What is the easiest way to identify which one is which? Evacuating them means spreading them across everywhere. At least here, they are Qurantined in limited area. So not a great idea.
@ Kalsoom answering HGW
” voilence is ‘ way down’ in Iraq because of ………. ”
oh yes, after the genocide of 1.5 millions of Iraqis
by US Army, you need to have some population in the
country for insurgencies, otherwise bomb blast here
and there, “fixed ” suicidal attacks by US/Israeli
mercenaries were getting bored.
@TTVINDIA,
and what about the Hindu terrorists of
Bajrangdal, Shiv sena, BJP, shudhi movement and
48 other terrorists groups in India.
I think what India needs is a faire amount of Takfiris
affectionate dose of good spiritual lessons. !!!!
It seems quite efficient nowadays in 231 districts
out of 608 in Norther and middle India.
Correction !!, Mossad, Raw,CIA are financing, arming
training Takfiris, Tehrikis like Baitullah and Fazlullah
4000 of them, NOT Patriotic Talibans,
[…] – Changing Up Pakistan ci racconta [in] infine di un recente sviluppo: un reporter di GEO News, Mosa Khankhel, è stato ucciso nella […]
@ Rafay…
Well if you really want to debate on the problems on the Indian side of the border, this may not be the correct forum. But since you have asked me a question, I would like to offer an answer.
“and what about the Hindu terrorists of
Bajrangdal, Shiv sena, BJP, shudhi movement and
48 other terrorists groups in India.”
Well of the HIndu Terrorists that you are mentioning, Shiv Sena and BJP, for your information are formal Political Parties of India, not TERROR OUTFITS. Of the two, BJP is a national Political Party and Shiv Sena is a Regional Political Party limited in the state of Maharashtra. So get your misinformation cleared on these.
About the other, Yes Bajrang Dal is a reformist radical outfit which is denounced by one and all, and India as a country has pressed a ban on them which is likely to get implemented sometime or the other. I am not even aware of the SHUDHI movement, probably a figment of Pakistani Media’s Imaginitive reporting. About the other 48 movements, most of these are not nationalist anti India movements, they are movements which are seeking separate STATEHOOD (what is called as a Province in Pakistan) from their parent States within the CONSTITUTION of India, under no means are they seeking a separate nation. There is only Kasmir which has a separatis movement (which incidentally to has virtually died after the J&k Elections) and some in North East of India.
I hope I have clarified your misinformation on India and its setup. Also, of the movements that are/were there, almost 95% of them have been funded by ISI.
@TTVINDIA,
I just went thru this thread a you your comment
of feb 19 @ 12.19 am, you said
” sitting here in Indian, I have only access to
the media reports acroos the world. ”
I wonder how Mumbai dossier was prepared !!
with HGW sitting next to you working on theories
articles for International Jokes Forum, Washington.
USA
[…] perkembangan terakhir, CHUP -Changing Up Pakistan melaporkan bahwa reporter GEO News, Mosa Khankhel, tewas dibunuh di Kota Matta, Lembah Swat hari ini setelah […]
Am sorry… how does this sum up? I mean what exactly are you trying to say here? How does the Dossier connect to Musa’s Killing? Or any other discussions on this forum here so far?
@TTVINDIA,
please come to some other blog, I will explain better,
to your ” entire satifaction ”
Kalsoom will keep on deleting my response to you,
I thought she liked me very much, but-…………….
Badli he zamanay ki nazar, kia kijiay ?
It’s sad that many of the journalists who were reporting in the region have now retreated to the (relative) safety of Islamabad. The safety of journalists in Pakistan is often an ignored issue – tragic considering the risks they take to cover a story. What’s interesting is that while Western journalists are often embedded with the military (hence receiving protection), many Pakistani journalists are independent agents, and are vulnerable to violence/threats/attacks from either side.
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