Two journalists were killed and another, working for AFP, was injured on Monday when gunmen opened fire on their car in South Waziristan near the Afghan border, officials said. A fourth journalist, Zardad Khan of Al-Jazeera television, who was also in the car, escaped injuries, hospital and media sources said. They were returning to Wana after covering a meeting of tribal elders in the remote town when their car was ambushed.
"When they reached the Wana Hospital a car intercepted their vehicle and opened fire," local administration official Asmatullah Gandapur said.
Two of them Amir Nawab, reporter for the Frontier Post, and Allah Noor Wazir, who was working for Peshawar's Khyber TV died on the spot, he said.
Wazir was in mid 30s. "He was a very daring journalist, he was very active and ready to take initiative," said Amir Mateen, News Director at Khyber TV.
Amir Nawab of the Frontier Post, was 34 and had also been engaged in teaching, family sources said.
Nawab, who had two wives and three children, had occasionally worked as stringer for Associated Press Television News, they said.
AFP stringer Anwar Shakir received a bullet injury. Hospital officials said Shakir underwent a surgery.
"He had an operation, it was successful, his condition is stable," hospital official Salahuddin told AFP by telephone from Wana Hospital.
Shakir had received a bullet in his back, said Salahuddin who goes by one name.
"Shakir's condition is better now, he has regained consciousness and talked to his family members," his uncle Daud Jan said.
The journalist casualties were the first in the region where army has staged operations against al Qaeda-linked militants and their local supporters since last year.
The journalists had gone to the town of Sara Rugha, 55 kilometers from Wana where Baitullah Mehsud signed a peace deal with the authorities.
Gandapur described the attack as "a terrorist act."
"It is an attempt to sabotage Monday's peace agreement," he said.
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