KABUL: Danish Siddiqui, an Indian photojournalist working for Reuters, was killed on Friday during clashes in Spin Boldak district in Kandahar, sources confirmed. Siddiqui was covering the situation in Kandahar over the last few days, reported Tolo News. He was based in Mumbai and had received the Pulitzer Prize as part of the photography staff of Reuters.
Siddiqui graduated with a degree in Economics from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. He started his career as a television news correspondent, switched to photojournalism, and joined Reuters as an intern in 2010.
The Taliban captured Spin Boldak district in Kandahar this week. Fierce fighting has been underway in Kandahar, especially in Spin Boldak, for the last few days, reported Tolo News.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the Indian Embassy in Kabul is in touch with Afghan authorities to bring back the mortal remains of Siddiqui. In response to media queries MEA Spokesperson, Arindam Bagchi said: “Our Ambassador in Kabul is in touch with Afghan authorities. We are keeping his family informed of the developments.”
Government sources told Sputnik: “We have been informed that the body has been handed over by the Taliban to the International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC. We are actively facilitating the return of the body in coordination with Afghan authorities and the ICRC. We are in regular touch with family members of Danish Siddiqui.”
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani also expressed grief over the demise of Siddiqui. “I am deeply saddened with the shocking reports that Reuters Photojournalist Danish Siddiqui was killed while covering the Taliban atrocities in Kandahar,” he said.
Earlier today, US Charge d’Affaires to Afghanistan Ross Wilson expressed condolences over the death of Danish Siddiqui. “I am seeing heartbreaking reports that Reuters photojournalist Danish Siddiqui has been killed while covering fighting in Kandahar. It is a tragedy for #Afghanistan and the world that Danish is the latest of 54 reporters who have been killed or murdered,” Wilson said in a tweet.
ANI