QUETTA, March 1: Terrorists shot dead Mehmood Afridi, a senior journalist and President of the Kalat Press Club, on Friday evening.

Mr Afridi was sitting in a private Public Call Office in Kalat Bazaar when gunmen on a motorcycle came there and opened fire.

“Mr Afridi suffered multiple bullet wounds and died on the spot,” Anwar Shahwani, local journalist and General Secretary of the Kalat Press Club, told reporters The incident created panic in the small town and all bazaars and shops were immediately closed. Mr Afridi was associated with the Daily Iftikhar of Quetta and also worked for the TV-One private channel. He also worked as a teacher at the Government Elementary College in Kalat.

Thirty journalists have been killed in Balochistan over the past four years, including president of Khuzdar Press Club Muhammad Khan Sasoli and general secretary Abdul Haq.

Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi condemned the killing of Mehmood Afridi and termed it an act of terrorism aimed at muzzling the press.

“Target killing and violence against journalists are like killing journalism,” Nawab Magsi said. He offered condolences to the family of Mr Afridi and announced adequate compensation.