Indian photographer killed in battle between Afghan forces and Taliban

Gulf Today Report

A renowned India photographer was killed in crossfire between Afghan froces and Taliban on Friday.

Danish Siddiqui, a Pulitzer Prize-winner who was working with Reuters, was covering the fierce clashes near a border crossing with Pakistan.

The tragic incident took place while Afghan forces were engaged in battle with the Taliban in Spin Boldak area.

Danish, 38, was embedded recently with Afghan special forces in the former Taliban stronghold of Kandahar and was reporting for the Reuters live from the battle ground.

Tributes poured in from all across the media fraternity and from his friends and family.

Reuters president Michael Friedenberg and editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni said in a statement that they are seeking more information, working with authorities in the region.

They said that the slain photojournalist was an outstanding journalist, a devoted husband and father.

“He was a much-loved colleague and our thoughts are with his family at this terrible time," they said.

According to reports  Danish had earlier been wounded in the arm by shrapnel and  was undergoing treatment.

An unnamed commander said that Danish had been talking to shopkeepers when the Taliban attacked again.

He was treated and had been recovering when Taliban fighters retreated from the fighting in Spin Boldak.

Danish shared the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography with a team which documented the Rohingya refugee crisis.