Data current as of Oct. 24, 2021
167 journalists have been killed in South Asian countries — which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives — since 1992, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
CPJ’s 2020 Global Impunity Index spotlights countries where journalists are singled out for murder and their killers go free, showed that three out of the top 12 countries — Bangladesh, India and Pakistan — are located in South Asia.
Curruption, weak institutions, and lack of political will to pursue robust investigations were factors behind impunity in most countries on the list. Some cases that were thought to be resolved were upended. Last year, Pakistan's Sindh High Court overturned the murder convictions of four men accused of killing Daniel Pearl, a South Asia correspondent for the Wall Street Journal.
CPJ defines journalists as people who cover news or comment on public affairs in print, in photographs, on radio, on television, or online. Writers, editors, publishers, producers, technicians, photographers, camera operators, and directors of news organizations are all included.
The following interactive map plots the killing of every journalist in South Asia since 1992 — click on the dots to read their stories:
Name | Year | Nationality | Killed by | Job | Press organization | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Abdul Aziz Shaheen | 2008 | Pakistan | Military Officials | Print Reporter | Azadi | Swat, Pakistan |
Abdul Hakim Shimul | 2017 | Bangladesh | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Samakal | Shahjadpur, Bangladesh |
Abdul Haq Baloch | 2012 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | ARY Television | Khuzdar, Pakistan |
Abdul Qadir Hajizai | 2012 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | WASH TV | Quetta, Pakistan |
Abdul Razzak Johra | 2008 | Pakistan | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter | Royal TV | Punjab, Pakistan |
Abdul Wahab | 2010 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter,Camera Operator | Express News | Ghalanai, Pakistan |
Achyutananda Sahu | 2018 | India | Political Group | Camera Operator | Doordarshan | Chhattisgarh, India |
Ahmed Rajib Haider | 2013 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Internet Reporter | Freelance | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Ahmed Rilwan Abdulla | 2014 | Maldives | Political Group | Internet Reporter,Print Reporter | Minivan News | Male, Maldives |
Aiyathurai Nadesan | 2004 | Sri Lanka | Military Officials | Print Reporter | Virakesari | Batticaloa, Sri Lanka |
Allah Noor | 2005 | Pakistan | Political Group | Photographer | Khyber TV | Wana, Pakistan |
Altaf Ahmed Faktoo | 1997 | India | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Doordarshan TV | Srinagar, India |
Amir Nowab | 2005 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Associated Press Television News and Frontier Post | Wana, Pakistan |
Ananta Bijoy Das | 2015 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Internet Reporter,Print Reporter | Freelance | Sylhet, Bangladesh |
Anil Mazumdar | 2009 | India | Political Group | Editor | Aji | Rajgarh, Assam, India |
Anura Priyantha | 1999 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Technician | Independent Television Network | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Asfandyar Khan | 2011 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | Akhbar-e-Khyber | Peshawar, Pakistan |
Ashok Sodhi | 2008 | India | Political Group | Photographer | Daily Excelsior | Samba, India |
Asiya Jeelani | 2004 | India | Political Group | Print Reporter | freelance | Kashmir, India |
Aslam Durrani | 2013 | Pakistan | Political Group | Editor | Daily Pakistan | Peshawar, Pakistan |
Avijit Roy | 2015 | Political Group | Internet Reporter,Print Reporter | Freelance | Dhaka, Bangladesh | |
Ayub Khattak | 2013 | Pakistan | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Karak Times | Karak District, Pakistan |
Azamat Ali Bangash | 2010 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter,Internet Reporter | Samaa TV | Orakzai, Pakistan |
Bala Nadarajah Iyer | 2004 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Print Reporter | Thinamurasu and Thinakaran | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Bhola Nath Masoom | 1993 | India | Political Group | Print Reporter | Hind Samachar | Rajpura, India |
Birendra Shah | 2007 | Nepal | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Nepal FM, Dristi Weekly, and Avenues TV | Bara district, Nepal |
Borhan Uddin Muzakkir | 2021 | Bangladesh | Political Group,Government Officials | Internet Reporter,Print Reporter | Barta Bazar,Bangladesh Samachar | Companiganj, Bangladesh |
Chandan Tiwari | 2018 | India | Criminal Group,Local Residents | Print Reporter | Aj Newspaper | Chatra, India |
Chennakeshavalu | 2021 | Local Residents,Government Officials | Broadcast Reporter | EV5 | Andhra Pradesh, India | |
Chishti Mujahid | 2008 | Pakistan | Political Group | Columnist/Commentator,Photographer | Akbar-e-Jehan | Quetta, Pakistan |
Daniel Pearl | 2002 | USA | Political Group | Print Reporter | The Wall Street Journal | Karachi, Pakistan |
Dekendra Raj Thapa | 2004 | Nepal | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Radio Nepal | Dailekh, Nepal |
Dhan Bahadur Rokka Magar | 2003 | Nepal | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Radio Nepal | Jaluki, Nepal |
Dharmeratnam Sivaram | 2005 | Sri Lanka | Government Officials | Columnist/Commentator | TamilNet and Daily Mirror | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Dinesh Pathak | 1993 | India | Political Group | Editor | Sandesh | Baroda, India |
Dwijamani Singh | 2012 | India | Government Officials | Broadcast Reporter,Camera Operator | Prime News | Imphal, India |
Ejaz Raisani | 2010 | Pakistan | Criminal Group, Mob Violence | Camera Operator | Samaa TV | Quetta, Pakistan |
Ejazul Haq | 2010 | Pakistan | Broadcast Reporter,Technician | City-42 TV | Lahore, Pakistan | |
Faisal Arefin Dipan | 2015 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Publisher/Owner | Jagriti Prokashoni | Dhaka , Bangladesh |
Faisal Qureshi | 2011 | Pakistan | Political Group | Editor,Internet Reporter | The London Post | Lahore, Pakistan |
Fazal Wahab | 2003 | Pakistan | Political Group | Columnist/Commentator,Print Reporter | freelance | Mingora, Pakistan |
G. Raja Sekhar | 1997 | India | Political Group | Technician | Eenadu Television (E-TV) | Hyderabad, India |
Gauri Lankesh | 2017 | India | Political Group | Publisher/Owner,Columnist/Commentator | Gauri Lankesh Patrike | Bangalore, India |
Gautam Das | 2005 | Bangladesh | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Samakal | Faridpur, Bangladesh |
Ghulam Muhammad Lone | 1994 | India | Political Group | Print Reporter | Freelancer | Kangan, India |
Ghulam Rasool | 2014 | Pakistan | Print Reporter | Online International News Network | Quetta, Pakistan | |
Ghulam Rasool Birhamani | 2010 | Pakistan | Mob Violence | Print Reporter | Daily Sindhu Hyderabad | Wahi Pandhi, Pakistan |
Ghulam Rasool Sheikh | 1996 | India | Paramilitary Group | Editor | Rehnuma-e-Kashmir and Saffron Times | Pampore, Kashmir, India |
Gyanendra Khadka | 2003 | Nepal | Political Group | Print Reporter | Rastriya Samachar Samiti | Jyamire, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal |
Harunur Rashid | 2002 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Print Reporter | Dainik Purbanchal | Khulna, Bangladesh |
Hayatullah Khan | 2006 | Pakistan | Military Officials | Photographer | freelance | Miran Shah, Pakistan |
Humayun Kabir | 2004 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Editor | Janmabhumi | Khulna, Bangladesh |
Iliyas Hossain | 2020 | Bangladesh | Criminal Group,Local Residents | Print Reporter | Dainik Bijoy | Bandar, Bangladesh |
Imran Shaikh | 2013 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | Samaa TV | Quetta, Pakistan |
Indika Pathinivasan | 1999 | Sri Lanka | Technician | Maharaja Television Network | Colombo, Sri Lanka | |
Irshad Mastoi | 2014 | Pakistan | Editor,Print Reporter | Online International News Network, ARY News | Quetta, Pakistan | |
Isaivizhi Chempiyan | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Military Officials | Broadcast Reporter | Voice of Tigers | Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka |
Jagadish Babu | 1997 | India | Political Group | Producer | Eenadu Television (E-TV) | Hyderabad, India |
Jagendra Singh | 2015 | India | Government Officials | Internet Reporter | Freelance | Shahjahanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Jamal Uddin | 2012 | Bangladesh | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Gramer Kagoj | Kashipur, Bangladesh |
Janullah Hashimzada | 2009 | Military Officials | Broadcast Reporter | freelance | Jamrud, Pakistan | |
Javed Ahmed Mir | 2008 | India | Paramilitary Group | Camera Operator | Channel 9 | Srinagar, India |
Javed Khan | 2007 | Pakistan | Photographer | Markaz and DM Digital TV | Islamabad, Pakistan | |
Javed Naseer Rind | 2011 | Pakistan | Columnist/Commentator,Editor,Print Reporter | Daily Tawar | Khuzdar, Pakistan | |
Jyotirmoy Dey | 2011 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Midday | Powai, India |
Kamal Hossain | 2004 | Bangladesh | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Ajker Kagoj | Manikcchari , Bangladesh |
Karun Misra | 2016 | India | Criminal Group, Local Residents | Print Reporter | Jansandesh Times | Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Lanka Jayasundara | 2004 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Print Reporter | Wijeya Publications | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
Lasantha Wickramatunga | 2009 | Sri Lanka | Government Officials | Editor | The Sunday Leader | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
M. L. Manchanda | 1992 | India | Political Group | Producer | All India Radio | Patiala, India |
Maheshwar Pahari | 2005 | Nepal | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Rastriya Swabhiman | Pokhara, Nepal |
Malik Arif | 2010 | Pakistan | Camera Operator | Samaa TV | Quetta, Pakistan | |
Manik Saha | 2004 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Print Reporter | New Age | Khulna, Bangladesh |
Manish Kumar Singh | 2021 | India | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter | Sudarshan TV | Bihar, India |
Mehboob Khan | 2007 | Pakistan | Political Group | Photographer | freelance | Charsadda, Pakistan |
Mehmood Khan | 2016 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | DawnNews | Quetta, Pakistan |
Mir Illias Hossain | 2000 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Columnist/Commentator,Editor | Dainik Bir Darpan | Jhenaidah, Bangladesh |
Mirza Iqbal Hussain | 2013 | Pakistan | Political Group | Photographer | News Network International | Quetta, Pakistan |
Misri Khan | 2010 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | Ausaf and Mashriq | Hangu, Pakistan |
Mohammad Imran | 2009 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | Express TV | Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan |
Mohammad Quamruzzaman | 1996 | Bangladesh | Military Officials | Print Reporter | Neel Sagar | Nilphamari, Bangladesh |
Mohammad Samdani Warsi | 1994 | Pakistan | Political Group | Parcham | Karachi, Pakistan | |
Mohammed Ibrahim | 2008 | Pakistan | Broadcast Reporter | Express TV and Daily Express | Khar, Pakistan | |
Mohammed Muslimuddin | 2008 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Asomiya Pratidin | Barpukhuri, India |
Mohammed Salahuddin | 1994 | Pakistan | Political Group | Editor | Takbeer | Karachi, Pakistan |
Moolchand Yadav | 2001 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Freelance | Jhansi, India |
Muhammad Arif | 2007 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | ARY Television | Karachi, Pakistan |
Mukarram Khan Aatif | 2012 | Pakistan | Military Officials, Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Freelance | Shabqadar, Pakistan |
Munir Ahmed Sangi | 2006 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | Kawish Television Network | Larkana, Pakistan |
Musa Khankhel | 2009 | Pakistan | Military Officials | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Geo TV and The News | Swat, Pakistan |
Mushtaq Ali | 1995 | India | Camera Operator,Photographer | Agence France-Presse and Asian News International | Srinagar, India | |
Mushtaq Khand | 2012 | Pakistan | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Dharti Television Network and Mehran | Khairpur, Pakistan | |
MVN Shankar | 2014 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Andhra Prabha | Andhra Pradesh, India |
Mylvaganam Nimalarajan | 2000 | Sri Lanka | Government Officials | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | BBC, Virakesari, Ravaya | Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
Nahar Ali | 2001 | Bangladesh | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Anirban | Khulna, Bangladesh |
Narendra Dabholkar | 2013 | India | Editor | Sadhana | Pune, India | |
Nasrullah Khan Afridi | 2011 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Pakistan Television and Mashriq | Peshawar, Pakistan |
Nava Raj Sharma | 2002 | Nepal | Political Group | Editor | Kadam | Kalikot, Nepal |
Navin Nischal | 2018 | India | Government Officials,Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Dainik Bhaskar | Arrah, India |
Niloy Neel | 2015 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Internet Reporter | Freelance | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Noor Hakim Khan | 2007 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | Daily Pakistan | Bajaur, Pakistan |
P. Srinivas Rao | 1997 | India | Political Group | Camera Operator | Eenadu Television (E-TV) | Hyderabad, India |
Parag Kumar Das | 1996 | India | Political Group | Editor | Asomiya Pratidin | Assam, India |
Paranirupasingham Devakumar | 2008 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | News 1st | Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
Parvaz Mohammed Sultan | 2003 | India | Editor | News and Feature Alliance | Srinagar, India | |
Pervez Khan | 2010 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter,Camera Operator | Waqt TV | Ghalanai, Pakistan |
Pradeep Bhatia | 2000 | India | Political Group | Photographer | The Hindustan Times | Srinagar, India |
Prahlad Goala | 2006 | India | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Asomiya Khabar | Golaghat, India |
Prakash Singh Thakuri | 2007 | Nepal | Political Group | Print Reporter | Freelance | Mahendranagar, Nepal |
Puniyamoorthy Sathiyamoorthy | 2009 | Sri Lanka | Government Officials | Broadcast Reporter | freelance | Mullaitheevu district, Sri Lanka |
Rajdev Ranjan | 2016 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Hindustan | Siwan, Bihar, India |
Rajesh Mishra | 2012 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Media Raj | Rewa, India |
Rajesh Mishra | 2017 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Dainik Jagran | Brahmanpur Chatti, Ghazipur district, India |
Rajesh Verma | 2013 | India | Broadcast Reporter,Camera Operator | IBN 7 | Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, India | |
Rakesh Sharma | 2013 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Aaj | Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Rakesh Singh | 2020 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Rashtriya Swaroop | Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh, India |
Ram Chander Chaterpatti | 2002 | India | Political Group | Editor | Poora Sach | Sirsa, India |
Ram Singh Biling | 1992 | India | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Azdi Awaz, Daily Ajit | Jalandhar, India |
Rashmi Mohamed | 2008 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Sirasa TV | Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka |
Razzaq Gul | 2012 | Pakistan | Broadcast Reporter | Express News TV | Turbat, Pakistan | |
Rehmatullah Abid | 2012 | Pakistan | Broadcast Reporter,Camera Operator,Print Reporter | Dunya News TV, Intikhaab | Panjgur, Baluchistan, Pakistan | |
Relangi Selvarajah | 2005 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Columnist/Commentator | Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corp. | Colombo, Sri Lanka |
S. Gangadhara Raju | 1997 | India | Political Group | Camera Operator | Eenadu Television (E-TV) | Hyderabad, India |
S. Krishna | 1997 | India | Political Group | Camera Operator | Eenadu Television (E-TV) | Hyderabad, India |
Sadrul Alam Nipul | 2014 | Bangladesh | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Dainik Mathabhanga | Chuadanga, Bangladesh |
Sai Reddy | 2013 | India | Political Group | Print Reporter | Deshbandhu | Bijapur District, India |
Saidan Shafi | 1997 | India | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Doordarshan TV | Srinagar, India |
Saif ur Rehman | 2013 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Samaa TV | Quetta, Pakistan |
Saiful Alam Mukul | 1998 | Bangladesh | Editor,Publisher/Owner | Daily Runner | Jessore, Bangladesh | |
Sajid Tanoli | 2004 | Pakistan | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Shumal | Mansehra, Pakistan |
Saleem Shahzad | 2011 | Pakistan | Military Officials | Columnist/Commentator,Internet Reporter | Asia Times Online | Mandi Bahauddin, Pakistan |
Sandeep Sharma | 2018 | India | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter | News World | Ghazipur district, India |
Saqib Khan | 2012 | Pakistan | Political Group | Photographer | Ummat | Karachi, Pakistan |
Selvarajah Rajeewarnam | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Print Reporter | Uthayan | Jaffna, Sri Lanka |
Shafiullah Khan | 2011 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | The News | Wah Cantonment, Pakistan |
Shahid Soomro | 2002 | Pakistan | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Kawish | Kandhkot, Pakistan |
Shahid Zehri | 2021 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Metro 1 News | Hub, Pakistan |
Shamsur Rahman | 2000 | Bangladesh | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Janakantha | Jessore, Bangladesh |
Shan Dahar | 2014 | Pakistan | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter | Abb Takk Television | Larkana, Pakistan |
Shantanu Bhowmik | 2017 | India | Mob Violence | Broadcast Reporter | Dinraat | West Tripura district, India |
Shehzad Ahmed | 2016 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | Aaj News | Quetta, Pakistan |
Sheikh Belaluddin | 2005 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Print Reporter | Sangram | Khulna, Bangladesh |
Shoba | 2009 | Sri Lanka | Military Officials | Broadcast Reporter | O'liveechchu | Mullivaikkal, Sri Lanka |
Shubham Mani Tripathi | 2020 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Kampu Mail | Uttar Pradesh, India |
Shujaat Bukhari | 2018 | India | Editor,Print Reporter | Rising Kashmir | Srinagar city, India | |
Shukur Hossain | 2002 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Print Reporter | Anirban | Ula, Bangladesh |
Siraj Uddin | 2008 | Pakistan | Print Reporter | The Nation | Mingora, Pakistan | |
Sohail Khan | 2018 | Pakistan | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | K2 Times | Haripur, Pakistan |
Subash Chandraboas | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Political Group | Publisher/Owner | Nilam | Vavuniya, Sri Lanka |
Subramaniyam Sugitharajah | 2006 | Sri Lanka | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Sudar Oli | Trincomalee, Sri Lanka |
Sudip Dutta Bhaumik | 2017 | India | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Syandan Patrika | West Tripura district, India |
Sufi Mohammad Khan | 2000 | Pakistan | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Ummat | Badin, Pakistan |
Sulabh Srivastava | 2021 | India | Criminal Group | Broadcast Reporter | ABP News,ABP Ganga | Pratapgarh District, India |
Suresh Linbiyo | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Military Officials | Technician | Voice of Tigers | Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka |
T. Tharmalingam | 2007 | Sri Lanka | Military Officials | Technician | Voice of Tigers | Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka |
Tahir Awan | 2009 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | freelance | Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan |
Taimoor Khan | 2017 | Pakistan | Political Group | Camera Operator | Samaa TV | Karachi, Pakistan |
Tarun Kumar Acharya | 2014 | India | Local Residents | Broadcast Reporter,Print Reporter | Kanak TV, Sambad | Odisha, India |
Uma Singh | 2009 | Nepal | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Janakpur Today, Radio Today | Janakpur , Nepal |
Umesh Rajput | 2011 | India | Local Residents | Print Reporter | Nai Dunia | Raipur district, India |
Veeraboina Yadagiri | 2004 | India | Criminal Group | Print Reporter | Andhra Prabha | Medak, India |
Vijay Pratap Singh | 2010 | India | Political Group | Print Reporter | Indian Express | Allahabad, India |
Vikas Ranjan | 2008 | India | Print Reporter | Hindustan | Rosera, India | |
Wali Khan Babar | 2011 | Pakistan | Political Group | Broadcast Reporter | Geo TV | Karachi, Pakistan |
Washiqur Rahman Babu | 2015 | Bangladesh | Political Group | Internet Reporter | Freelance | Dhaka, Bangladesh |
Yameen Rasheed | 2017 | Maldives | Criminal Group | Columnist/Commentator,Publisher/Owner | The Daily Panic | Male, Maldives |
Z.A. Shahid | 1997 | Pakistan | Political Group | Photographer | Khabrain | Lahore, Pakistan |
Zaman Mehsud | 2015 | Pakistan | Political Group | Print Reporter | Daily Ummat, Daily Nai Baat | Tank, Pakistan |
Zubair Ahmed Mujahid | 2007 | Pakistan | Government Officials | Print Reporter | Jang | Mirpur Khas, Pakistan |
Methodology and sources
This is my first news application developed after completing the First News App tutorial. I wrote a web scraper to collect data from the Committee to Protect Journalists website to obtain biographical descriptions of each journalist's death. Using the GeoPy package, I converted locations to geographical coordinates — after cleaning and analyzing the data in pandas.
My analysis can be found in this jupyter notebook.
In addition to the First News App tutorial, thank you to the following resources for inspiration:
Note: Geographic locations are generated by GeoPy and may be approximate. Certain coordinates were changed manually to accomodate multiple points in the same town/city.