American journalist covering terror threats goes missing in Pak

Karachi, Aug 21 : Two journalists, including one American - Nicholas Shamble who covered terrorism threats particularly an examination of the situation in Balochistan and the aftermath of the Lal Masjid operation in July of last year, have reportedly gone in Pakistan.

Nicholas who edits the US magazine "Smithsonian" went missing two days ago. Earlier, he was deported from Pakistan two years ago. The identity of the Pakistani journalist from Sindh is not known yet.

The American journalist arrived at a hotel in Karachi on August 12 and left for Islamabad on Monday, and he never arrived, the Daily Times quoted sources as saying.

Shamble had undertaken frequent visits to Pakistan, covering the terrorist threat, and had been due to interview PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, said the sources, and added that previous stories covered by him included an examination of the situation in Balochistan and the aftermath of the Lal Masjid operation in July of last year.

The source also said Shamble was in touch with a Sindh journalist, who has also been missing for two days.

Sindh Home Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan confirmed that both the scribed were missing and expressed hope law enforcement agencies will find them soon. Khan added it was possible the two were in interior Sindh, and confirmed that police there have been told the journalists were missing.

ANI