The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the shooting death of a female TV presenter and women’s rights activist in Afghanistan on Thursday.
Malalai Maiwand, a presenter at Enikas Radio and TV in the eastern province of Nangarhar, was killed along with her driver in the attack on their vehicle in the regional capital Jalalabad, taking the total number of journalists and media workers killed this year in Afghanistan to 10.
“She was on the way to the office when the incident happened,” said Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for the provincial governor.
Nangarhar has been a hotbed of militant activity, most notably involving the IS, which issued its claim of responsibility via its Telegram communications channel.
Maiwand, 25, was not the first in her family to be targeted. Five years ago, her mother, also an activist, was killed by unknown gunmen.