Senior Pakistani journalist escapes bomb attack

PESHAWAR: A senior Pakistani journalist on Wednesday narrowly escaped a bomb attack outside his house in this restive northwestern city, the third such assault on him this year.

Jamshed Baghwan, bureau chief of Express News television, was leaving his house with his wife when he saw militants on a motorbike dropping a bomb near his house in the Murshidabad locality of Peshawar.The couple ran inside as the bomb exploded, Express News reported. There was no casualty but the exterior of the house and Baghwan’s car were damaged in the explosion. It was the third attack on Baghwan this year. Police arrived in the area soon after the explosion and started its initial investigation.

The Tribune newspaper owned by the Express Group quoted Baghwan as saying that a large amount of explosives were used in this attack and that material damage was greater this time than in the past attacks. Describing the scene when the bomb exploded, Bhagwan said the entire street was filled with smoke, affecting visibility for the next few seconds. He said no government official has ever approached him regarding these targeted attacks. Bhagwan also said he has never received any threat. However, he said the police believe extortionists are behind these attacks.

IT WAS THE THIRD ATTACK ON JAMSHED BAGHWAN NEAR HIS HOUSE IN PESHAWAR. HE IS THE BUREAU CHIEF OF EXPRESS NEWS TV