Taliban admits failed assassination attempt on Pakistan TV anchor

PESHAWAR // The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for a failed assassination attempt against a prominent Pakistani TV anchor.

Ahsanullah Ahsan, the Taliban spokesman, said that the group targeted Geo TV's Hamid Mir because he was "promoting secular forces".

A bomb was found underneath Mr Mir's car in Islamabad yesterday and was defused by police.

The Taliban threatened Mr Mir and other journalists last month because the group was unhappy with their coverage of a schoolgirl activist shot by the militants.

The Taliban shot 15-year-old Malala Yousufzai in the head for criticising the militants and promoting girls' education.

She is currently recovering in Britain.

Mr Ahsan, the Taliban spokesman, said they will target Mr Mir again and other journalists opposed by the militants.