A British newspaper says one of its reporters in Pakistan has been badly beaten after writing a story alleging torture and abduction by Pakistani intelligence.

The Guardian reported Sunday that local journalist Waqar Kiani was ordered to get out of his car by men in police uniforms as he drove through Islamabad the night before. The British daily says Kiani was badly beaten by the four men, who repeatedly said, “You want to be a hero? We will make you a hero,” and “We're going to make an example out of you.”

Kiani had been working on a story about the illegal detention and torture of Islamist militants by Pakistani intelligence in collaboration with Britain's intelligence agency, MI5. The Guardian said it published the story on June 13 after withholding it for three years.

The daily says Kiani had been targeted before. The journalist was abducted, blindfolded, and beaten by interrogators in July of 2008. He was released 15 hours later after being warned that his wife would be raped if he told anyone.

Saturday's reported attack comes weeks after another Pakistani journalist, Saleem Shahzad, was found dead after being reported missing in Islamabad. Police say Shahzad's body showed signs of torture.

Shahzad had written an article in which he alleged al-Qaida had links with the Pakistani navy. Pakistani's main intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, has denied any involvement in his death, after human rights groups said Shahzad had been threatened by the ISI.

The International Press Institute on Monday called on the Pakistani government to ensure the safety of journalists in the country, noting the frequency and brutality of attacks in recent months have been “appalling.” The media rights group says authorities have done “very little” to stop such attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.