Athar Mateen: Samaa TV senior producer shot dead in Karachi

KARACHI: A senior producer of a private news channel Samaa TV, Athar Mateen was killed in broad daylight by armed men on a motorcycle in Karachi’s North Nazimabad.

In another terrifying incident, a senior journalist lost his life after becoming a victim of lawlessness in the port city.

Samaa TV senior producer Athar Mateen Ahmed has been killed by armed men in the North Nazimabad area when he was returning home after dropping his children at school.

Initial reports suggested the armed men were said to be dacoits who have killed Athar Mateen for resisting a robbery.

According to Samaa TV, Athar Mateen was targeted by the dacoits when he hit their motorcycle to save another citizen from being robbed. After being hit by Mateen’s vehicle, the dacoits opened fire on him, leaving him dead on the spot.

The dacoits managed to flee from the crime scene after leaving their motorcycle. Police said that the journalist was immediately shifted to Saifi Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. His body was later shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal procedures.

An eyewitness told the media that the dacoits’ motorcycle was dragged by Mateen’s car. Some passers-by pelted stones on the armed men but they managed to flee on another motorcycle snatched by a citizen.

Athar Mateen is a member of Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the brother of senior anchorperson Tariq Mateen. He was currently working at Samaa TV while he had also remained associated with Aaj News and ARY News.