ISLAMABAD - Veteran reporter associated with 'The News', Ahmad Noorani, was assaulted by unidentified assailants in Islamabad on Friday.

According to reports, Noorani's car was intercepted by three motorcyclists near Zero Point Interchange while he was heading to Islamabad from Rawalpindi.

A total of six unidentified men got down from their motorcycles and tortured Noorani and his driver with iron rods after taking out the keys from the ignition switch.

The attackers sped away after onlookers started gathering at the site and traffic started coming to a halt on the busy intersection, Geo News reported.

Noorani, who lost consciousness, was taken to the Poly Clinic and is being administered first aid while the police are investigating the case.

Noorani's colleague Azaz Syed shared a picture of him undergoing medical treatment

Unknown people attack Ahmed Noorani of The News. Badly beaten him.He is in the hospital and unconscious. pic.twitter.com/cJAPwX53gY

— Azaz Syed (@AzazSyed) October 27, 2017

Editor investigation of The News, Ansar Abbasi stated that Noorani faced head injuries.

Ahmad Noorani is beaten & wounded with head injuries. Taken to hospital. Intercepted and attacked near O-Point Urdu Un Isloo a while ago.

— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) October 27, 2017

Ahmed Noorani, who has been critical of the state policies regarding foreign affairs and civil-military imbalance, left the microblogging site mysteriously on October 19.

Widespread Condemnation

As soon as the news of the assault on Noorani hit the headlines, journalists recorded their protest in droves to denounce the bid apparently aimed at thwarting freedom of speech.

احمد نورانی پر حملہ انتہائی قابل مذمت۔۔۔

وہی قاتل وہی شاہد وہی منصف ٹھہرے

اقربا میرے کریں قتل کا دعویٰ کس پر

— Mujibur Rahman Shami (@mujibshami1) October 27, 2017

Colleague Ahmad Noorani beaten up by 6. Hospitalised. Shameful. Threat to journalists hasnt been clearer, more present and more apparent.

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) October 27, 2017

The News reporter Ahmed Noorani badly beaten by 6 ppl near Zero Point Islamabad. 3 on bike stopped him, 3 more joined beat him wth iron rods

— Azhar Abbas (@AzharAbbas3) October 27, 2017

Really shocked to see #AhmedNoorani in this condition-Media under fire again.U may differ but not silence by torture.
A bad omen for all.. https://t.co/PYpmiFegnm

— Rauf Klasra (@KlasraRauf) October 27, 2017

Unfortunate to hear about attack on Ahmed noorani.. wrong at so many levels

— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) October 27, 2017

Strong condemnation of attack on Ahmed Noorani.Any compromise on Freedom of Press and harrasment of Journalists is unacceptable!

— Dr Shahid Masood (@Shahidmasooddr) October 27, 2017

Attack on Ahmed noorani is terrorism..we all condemn this.journalist must unite against this aggression.Real culprits shell b punished.

— Sami Abraham (@samiabrahim) October 27, 2017

Attack on Ahmad Noorani not accepted..................plz respect the laws of land

— Iftikhar Ahmad (@jawabdeyh) October 27, 2017

Allah khair karey, prayers for his good health. https://t.co/claCMC8QGF

— Ajmal Jami (@ajmaljami) October 27, 2017

Strongly condemn the attack on journalist Ahmad Noorani, Dissenting voices cannot be coerced into silence like this.

— Syed Ali Haider (@SyedAliHaider13) October 27, 2017

This is horrendous!!! 😫
A msg is certainly conveyed!! https://t.co/oYS4TaWlp8

— Mahrukh Qureshi (@MahrukhQureshi) October 27, 2017

Apart from newsmen, political figures also decried the attack on Ahmed Noorani calling for immediate investigations.

Assaulting journalists has become a routine here. Strongly condemn attack on Ahmed Noorani. There are cctv cameras in Isl. Govt must act

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 27, 2017

Condemn the attack on ahmed noorani. An attack on journalists is an attack on freedom of expression. Culprits must be identified & punished

— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) October 27, 2017

Strongly condemn the attack on journalist Ahmad Noorani pic.twitter.com/NlOgU3U10Q

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) October 27, 2017