DADU: Two journalists were wounded when four motorcycle-riding assailants opened fire at them at a Photostat shop on Kachehri Road while the attackers accidentally hit one of their own as well and fled leaving behind his body near Dadu Press Club on Tuesday morning.

A-Section police station’s SHO, Noor Mustafa Pathan, confirmed that the deceased identified as Mohammad Ali Khaskheli, was killed by gunshots fired by his own associates during the attack on Jani Printing Press.

He said that Khaskheli had a criminal record involving various offenses. The assailants arrived on two motorcycles, two each on a bike, and police had found a pistol and a magazine at the crime scene, he said, adding police had mounted a search for the remaining suspects involved in the attack.

Journalists Rafiq Channa, and Niaz Chandio, who is also district president of a child rights advocacy group, suffered serious wounds in the attack. Channa was being treated at Sehwan and Chandio was shifted to Karachi. The deceased originally hailed from Mehar and was currently residing in Shaheed Colony, Sehwan, said the SHO.

He said that personal enmity could be a possible motive behind the attack. CCTV cameras’ footage was being obtained from nearby locations and reviewed to trace the culprits, he said.

SSP Captain (retired) Saud Ahmed Magsi said that police continued their search for the remaining culprits. He assured journalists of complete protection.

Dadu Press Club’s president Sabir Bhand, senior journalists Ghous Jhatyal and Liaquat Malik demanded protection for journalists and arrest of all the culprits involved in the attack.

Family members of the journalists, former president of Dadu Press Club, Wali Chandio and his brothers Imtiaz Chandio, Gul Hassan Chandio, and others claimed that the attack was a retaliation for Niaz’s reporting against drug abuse and drug dealers, who had become a menace to society.

They demanded judicial inquiry into the attack and arrest of those responsible.

Published in Dawn, June 25th, 2025